Investigating the Possibilities of Constructed Surfaces in Sculpture
2024 Borgeson Scholars Faculty-Student Collaboration in the Arts
Professor Lisa Walcott (Hope College, Department of Art and Art History) and Sophia Funston (senior, Studio Art major)
The surface of a sculpture, as its outermost covering, is often all that the viewer perceives, influencing both aesthetics and content. This project explored the potential of constructed surfaces—those altered by various treatments or materials—by examining historical precedents and contemporary trends. Through this exploration, the artists investigated how different surface treatments, such as encaustic, silicone, metal patinas, and flocking, can transform a sculpture’s appearance and/or meaning.
This project has given Funston and Walcott an expanded understanding of the materials that can be applied to the surface of a sculpture and the effects of those applications. This process has elevated their visual vocabulary and allowed them to see more creative solutions. Special thanks to Clarke and Nancy Borgeson for supporting this research project.
METHODS
Material Tests
The project began with a series of tests on various surface enhancement techniques inspired by their study of a variety of sculptors.
Making Connections
A set of categories for the surface treatments function within an artwork were developed to aid in the understanding of constructed surfaces. In addition to the categories, tags were used on the research website to identify materials or physical qualities of the surface treatments within the works allowing for cross-referencing within the project.
Artist Research
The materials and techniques investigated in the studio were derived from studies of artists’ use of constructed surfaces.
PUBLICATION
Exhibition
The hands-on research led to a new body of work with an expanded application of constructed surfaces. The artists applied their new understanding of constructed surfaces to a new body of work taking advantage of the option to add content, function, aesthetics to a finished body of work for exhibition/publication at the Holland Area Arts Council.
Presentations
Sophia presented numerous times throughout the project sharing the questions and results about constructed surfaces.