Tools for Creative Placemaking
Concrete Sculptural Forms for Mosaic: Fantasy Bench
October 10 - 12, 2016
Visiting Instructor Brent Sumner
Hosted by True Mosaics Studio
Monday- Wednesday 9 am- 5 pm
All materials included, students will be asked to bring tools and a few supplies, list provided
The workshop you have been waiting for!
Learn how to create your own sculptural forms and benches to cover in mosaic.
In this 3-day experiential workshop students will work as a team with Master Sculptor Brent Sumner from New Zealand, to create a three-dimensional concrete form as a base for a fantastical mosaic bench.
The workshop is part demo and part hands-on building. Students will learn how to make an armature for a sculptural bench and how to apply and sculpt layers of concrete on the armature to create a unique, organic form.
This real-time, nuts and bolts workshop will cover various techniques used to create concrete-based sculptural forms of different sizes, including how to create structural strength through shape. Brent will discuss different approaches to creating weight bearing sculptural forms, play structures, functional benches and creative sculpture.
Students will jump right into making process, while learning which materials to choose for different types of forms, in different environments. Finally, students will learn how to finish a sculptural form to receive range of different surface finishes and specifically mosaic.This is a great opportunity to be part of a creative team, actively building a fantastical, yet functional form. New Orleans is beautiful at this time of year and True Mosaics Studio is a great place to build community while building beauty and having fun.
- Slide presentation of Brent’s past projects with commentary about specific approaches to different forms
- Special focused lessons and demonstrations on armature building with lath and rebar for durable concrete sculptures
- Alternate methods, tips and tricks and special processes Brent has developed in his years of creating specialty armatures and sculptural forms
- Specific tools and materials used for armature-based concrete sculpture
- Methods of covering the armature with layers of concrete
- Introduction to Darjit, alternative sculpting material, made with recycled materials developed by Brent
- Forming a smooth surface with organic surfaces and detailing to receive mosaic embellishment
- Wrap up and Q &A for future students projects
About Brent Sumner
Brent Sumner has been designing and creating large-scale sculpted artworks for the past 15 years.
Hailing from New Zealand, his origins lie in sculpted earth buildings, woodworking and performance art. Brent currently works with a variety of mediums to create fantastical sculptural forms and buildings, including steel, wood and Darjit.
Brent developed the architectural sculpting compound darjit, a material made from recycled paper and by-products from clay mining. The development of Darjit influenced Brent's approach to sculpture building as it is lightweight, extremely versatile, and it allows for a wide variety of effects and fine detailing to be achieved when sculpting with it.