website design by
 |
Sculpting
The Stone
A number of different types of stone are used for
these sculptures, Springstone, Verdite, Serpentine and Opalite with
Soapstone being the most predominant, different trace minerals give
the stone it's many wonderful colours.
The carver and the steps in the birth of the
sculpture
The Carver and his friends and family will set
out to dig stone, when a suitable outcrop of stone is located, they
will begin excavation. The surface stone is removed and discarded,
because for hundreds of thousands of years it has been exposed to
the elements and unsuitable for carving. From the dug stone, the
carver and his friends will carry all the good-looking stone back
to their village where it will be stacked for use.
|
From the stack the artist chooses a stone.
Not always will he have a fixed sculpture in mind, but while
sitting on the ground with the stone before him he will say
"Ah, yes I can see an elephant, with that end for a head"
or "that flat piece there will be the centre of a Mother
& child extract," and so on.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Taking the tools of his trade (no electricity
or mechanical tools) he starts first with the chasing hammer
or adze and chisel, hewing out the rough form, and then going
over it again and again with the finer chisels for more detail.
|
|
|
|
The sculptor now uses a rasp and file (this
is only necessary on harder stone) to further smooth and shape
the sculpture. At this point the stone does not show it's
natural colours. |
The next stage is to smooth the surface, this is achieved by using coarse to very fine grades of wet and dry sand paper.
You can see where the piece has been wetted; the colour and character of the stone is visible. The piece is now ready for the final process. |
|
 |
|
|
|
When smooth, the piece is placed near the fire and heated
while turning frequently, when heated sufficiently it is quickly
removed and laid on sacks.
A mixture of polish is applied,
and when cooled the stone is buffed to remove any excess wax.
All the natural colour, rich textures and grain of the stone
used in the sculpture are now visible.
|
|
|
|
Usually black polish will be used to give
the best effect, as on the finish to the skin of an elephant
or rhino sculpture.
On the giraffe the artist will etch the
distinctive patterns of the skin through the polish leaving
a wonderful effect.
|
|
