BA Hons Creative Arts: Starting out in 3D: Sculpture 1

Reflection on tutor feedback for assignment 3

I have found my tutor’s positive comments encouraging. They are pushing my confidence towards new frontiers. I found his advice particularly useful with regards to further research following his appraisal of my clay work. I am confident that research will help me to develop new ideas into the future. I thought my tutor’s assertions about my ‘Churchill’ sculpture were intriguing. I was initially amused by his suggestion that this work might be interpreted as a performative act. Upon reflection and research, I begin to see and note the correlation.

It was reassuring to read my tutor’s comments regarding the standard of my clay work. I was always left with the feeling of ‘could do better’ upon completion of each piece. I felt much more at ease working with plaster, a medium of which I am more familiar with. I was flattered to have my work compared to that of Caro’s if only in style and not quality. Also pleasing was my tutor’s acknowledgement of my attention to technical detail, specifically, my comments regarding weatherproofing plaster. Reading between the lines, I think my tutor has correctly identified ‘Julie’ as the cream of the crop within assignment three. It felt good to get such a positive reaction. I am delighted with the comment regarding my bronze patina effect.

My tutor’s more honed observations on the possible connotations of the figure got me thinking. I am not about to pretend that anything like the subjects of stigmata or martyrdom had crossed my mind. I wish it had. It’s a perfect concept and befits the piece perfectly. I envy my tutors perception. Needless to say, I intend to run with the idea and rename ‘Julie’ ‘Stigmata’. My tutor’s comments appear to be a reflection of my efforts and the attention to detail on this particular piece. I am encouraged to explore this method of creating sculpture further. The most enjoyable aspect of this creative process was to convey the illusion of aged bronze with the inventive use of acrylic paints.

I am still feeling my way around writing about my ideas. I recognise that this is a good way of developing and inspiring my work. I am confident my writing and research skills will improve as the course progresses and I gain a deeper understanding of the subject of sculpture. Following my tutor’s comments with regard to my sketches, I look forward to producing more radical experimental drawings than those already produced. I intend to use quality photographic software in combination with unconventional paper and drawing tools that will yield Rorschach type images. I will continue to think about developing news ways of expressing my ideas via the mediums of painting and drawing.