As how I planned to explore different metatrails to represent my body form, I got a piece of vegetable tanned leather to try if it could be sculpted. Has to be vegetable tanned leather, that's the only kind of leather could be formed which is so expensive, A4 size cost me £23. That's also a thing I need to think thoroughly, if I made ten of this leather sculptures by the end, I don't think I can offer it.
However, for this one, I still try my best to make it, make the money worthy.
Covered my casting mold by clay at the back, because later when I mold the leather on it will give it pressure, that might damage the mold, it been used so many times so far. Put the leather into hot water, about 80 degree. Take it out of the water, press into the mold, make sure every part been pressed into the mold, especially the nipples. Then leave it like that until it dry.
Result seeing as the picture above. More than happy about it. The shape been transferred very well. Another skill got! What's the next?
At the same time, I am exploring my 2D as well. I did some line drawing on the top of my photography to make a powerful visual impact and contrast, it also inspired me that I could transfer this design onto the surface of the leather sculpture.
Because the leather is too tough to stitch straight away, thus, I used a super sharp tool to pin the holes first, then stitching by red string.
Outcome and details shows above. To be honest, the stitching process is a pain. Even I pinned the holes before, it's still so hard to stitching. However, once it's done, all the painful is worthy.
First, I do like how the design represent by stitching on the leather. The texture of the string and the texture of the leather, somehow they work well together. Second, see the sculpture as an whole, I like the contrast between left and right side. One side is busy and other side is empty. It could give our eyes a break when we looking at this work. The third, I took the piece go this far, however, what it's talking about now? Where's the story telling now? Is it just a beautiful thing been made by my hands, but without soul?
Comments