Student Art: Sculpture: Artist as Source

Images 1-4: The Frog Prince (found box, paint, fabric, flour, flowers, beads, found objects)

This piece was based off of the writings of artist Joseph Cornell, whose box-like constructions embodied elements of childhood and play. This student chose to base her piece on a poem about the frog prince. The box was presented with the poem displayed next to it. The detail of this piece is impressive. The “frog prince crest” has been stenciled in gold on the front of the box, and the box’s original red velvet lining was replaced with fabric more suited to the mood she was trying to convey. Much of the poem is about time and mortality, so many of the objects she chose reflect this, such as the flowers.

Image 5: My Grandma’s Hands (cast hands, crochet, yarn, crochet needles, paper, ink)

This piece was influenced by Miriam Shapiro’s statement Waste Not, Want Not. This piece represents the student’s connection to her grandmother through the act of crocheting, a technique she learned from her. The hands were cast from the student’s hands using plaster strips. Written on the paper beneath the sculpture are memories of her grandmother.

Image 6: Memory Dress  (fabric, wood, pain, ink, plastic hanger)

This piece was influenced by Miriam Shapiro’s statement entitled Waste Not Want Not in which she talks about elements common to women’s craft, such as sewing, recycling, memory, community, social responsibility, and handwork.

Images 7-9: Library of Memories  (wooden boxes, string, printed paper, found objects)

This student chose the artist Joseph Cornell and constructed an elaborate web of boxes, strings, objects, and index cards containing written memories.

Image 10: Amore  (fabric, sewing, poly-fil)

This piece was influenced by Miriam Shapiro’s statement Waste Not, Want Not. This student was particularly interested in Shapiro’s passage about the love and care inherent in handmade works. The student had never sewn before, but was so attached to the idea of sewing his piece, that he chose to sew, and the result is very impressive.