9-22 JUNE 2019 STRANGE ENCOUNTERS: Figuration and Narrative in Clay with Allesandro Gallo

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Strange Encounters: Figuration and Narrative in Clay
with Alessandro Gallo


9-22 June, 2019



Alessandro Gallo will share his formidable sculpting process from hand building a figure to painting it realistically after it is fired.  Throughout the immersive two weeks every participant will be encouraged to work on two specific projects. 
As the ideal point of departure, participants will begin with an animal mask or a replication of an object at hand (a shoe, bag, cloth, fruit and so on, that can be next to the sculpture at all times for reference).  This piece will be fired during the middle of the workshop and will provide a ‘canvas’ for painting and finishing practice during the last three days. Following this initial “diving deep,” the focus will shift to a more challenging piece that will be more specific to each individual.  Encouraging self tailored projects and offering instruction, demos and suggestions at all times on decision-making regarding approach, Alessandro will tutor each stage of the process, reinforcing concepts from the first three days, while all the while delving deeper, asking for more.  Detailed, thorough, and generous, this workshop will take participants beyond their own expectations of themselves in finding their ceramic voice in figurative narration.


The workshop will cover all topics involved with each stage and all precautions in between:
-  Concept and narrative
-  Reference preparation
-  Hand building solid using a pipe armature.
-  Roughing in clay, identifying main shapes, planes and volumes
-  Defining progressively the piece in all its parts
-  Cutting the solid piece in sections.
-  Hollowing and reassembling.
-  Sculpting and Refining 
-  Details
-  Firing
-  Post firing, glues  and tools
-  Painting and finishing techniques



Sunday, June 9:  Welcome Dinner MOKSA

A relaxed evening in which participants can get to know one another and share their stories and intentions for being here. Dessert will be served with an image presentation given by Alessandro.

 Monday, June 10:     Mask Project

-        Meeting each other, introducing teaching strategy and setting all the workshop goals, on sculpting and painting.
-        Short Artist talks focusing on process and offering a bird’s eye view of all main steps in the making of.
-        Discussing initial stages of making work. Dawn of ideas and concept. Sketching and written notes. From concept to posture. Narrative strategies and accessories.
-        Reference preparation. Using a model. Digital photography and photo-editing software. Block poster and printed materials. Small 3D models. Useful books for reference on anatomy, biology, sculpture.
-        Basic armature and beginning of Mask Project. Roughing in clay.

Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine


Tuesday, June 11: Developing mask project part 1

-        Sculpting from observation. Mask. Understanding fundamental shapes.
-        Defining main volumes. Adding definition to all features progressively
-        Artist Talk on Process (30-45 minutes ). Slide show on recent work.  
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine





Wednesday, June 12: Finishing mask project and firing

-        Refining and working on details
-        Hollowing. Choosing the right time to hollow, depending on way of working and size.
-        Getting ready for firing. Drying the work and force drying in the kiln. Firing options and techniques. Shrink slabs and supports. Reasons for bisquing at 2100F.
-        Firing schedules handouts.
-        Cleaning up Studio and tools. Preparing for next project.
-        Slide talks on content and narrative. Referencing work and examples from other contemporary artists and history of Art.

Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine



Thursday, June 13:  The figure and gesture. Medium size figure project.

After breaking the ice we’ll focus on a personal project that will be discussed individually.
Participants can come to the workshop with a specific idea and will be encouraged to bring reference material with them so they can develop it.

-        Preparing reference material
-        Preparing work area. Boards, Canvas, Plastic sheets.
-        Armature building. (Pipe kits, flange, Electrical Tape, Dowels, Wire clippers, Wrenches, pliers, screws and driver)
-        Clay Tools. Water buckets, spray bottles.
-        Clay types. Different properties and subjective preferences.
-        All materials will be provided.
-        Roughing in clay

Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Loading of mask works for firing.





Friday, June 14:  Figure development and sculpting

-        Sculpting. Identifying and defining main volumes and planes
-        Armature adjustments
-        Demos on Anatomy and physics of folds and fabric in clothed figures
-        Using references methodically
-        Progressively adding sharpness and details to all parts
-        Preparing for hollowing. Talks on finding the right time for hollowing making sure that details won’t be lost after the piece is cut in sections.
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine
Firing mask works.


Saturday, June 15:   Hollowing and putting back together

-        Deciding on cuts. Where, when and how many.
-        Preparing slip
-        Scoring clay and joining sections back together
-        Reassembling carefully
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine

Sunday, June 16:       FREE DAY


Monday, June 17:   Refining the figure, details. Kiln prep discussion.

-        Working on the reassembled piece and add definitions and details in all its parts
-        Finishing the project
-        Understanding preparation for the kiln. Firing section separately and preparing for glueing them back together after.
-        Explanation of shrink slabs, sand, clay supports, paper

Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine




Tuesday, June 18: Painting and finishing Mask project

Post-firing work, grinding and Glues. Priming and color theory basics


-        Demos on Epoxy PC-11
-        Power tools and dremel heads for grinding. Demonstration.
-        Apoxy Sculpt, Self hardening resins for seams. Demonstration
-        gloves, paper covered table, popsicle sticks, lids or small plastic plates, cut up papertowels, masking tape
-        Prepping clay for painting. Sand paper. Primers and first paint layers
-        Color Theory basic principles
-        Painting techniques demos
-        Mixing paint demos and exercise.
-        Tip will focus on skin tone and variations. Alex will focus on mixing and matching colors and layering thin coats.
-        Painting materials

Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine

Wednesday, June 19: Painting, finishing mask project


-        All day use of painting techniques directed at specific Mask project
-        Brushes and toothbrushes
-        Finishing

Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine

Thursday, June 20:                 EXCURSION
1:30pm departure:  An afternoon visit to Setia Dharma: House of Masks & Puppets—the expansive private collection of one man’s passion including pieces from all over Indonesia as well as the rest of the world.  Followed by dinner with a view at The Elephant restaurant, and a walking tour to the Pura Dalem, Ubud to watch a Balinese Kecak dance performance.





Friday, June 21: Wrapping up

-        Protective varnish and fixative
-        Finishing touches
-        Cleaning up

Talks on presenting the work in exhibition space. Metal base and welded pegs.
-        Using different materials to complement the piece
-        Restoration
Lunch- family style in GCAC mezzanine

Saturday, June 22:  Final Exhibition of Finished Works
Concluding discussion/critique/evaluation by instructor and participants.
Basics on packing and crating ceramics sculpture
Farewell Lunch: family style together in GCAC mezzanine
Departure by 2pm

Required or useful materials for participants:

-        Photo reference material for individual projects (animal masks and the medium sized figure piece).
-        If there’s a specific project please bring accurate printed photographic reference.
Instructions: As many good clear photographs of the subject as possible.
Minimum: 8 eye-level photos of the full figure (front, back, left, right and all ¾) plus details.

*Evenings are optional and will depend on independent transport arrangements.

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