Lesson video

Hello there.

I'm Miss Miah.

Welcome to this exciting sculpture unit.

Over the next few lessons, we will explore how artists bring ideas to life by creating three-dimensional artworks.

We'll look at how sculptures are made from planning and sketching the building, and refining.

By the end of this unit, you'll design and construct your own sculpture inspired by the world around you.

So I hope you're really excited.

Let's get started.

In this lesson, you'll be able to research and describe how artists use assembled materials to create sculptures.

Your keywords are on the screen now, and I'd like you to repeat them after me.

Sculpture.

Structure.

Three-dimensional.

Fantastic.

Let's have a look at what those words mean.

So a sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or combining materials.

Sculptures usually stand on their own.

Structure is how something is built, put together.

Three-dimensional, something that has height, width, and depth.

Now, you may know these keywords from before.

I would love for you to use these keywords throughout the lesson so we can speak like an artist.

Let's move on.

Now, this lesson is all about researching artists who have assembled materials to make a sculpture.

Now, there are two lesson cycles in this lesson.

Our first lesson cycle involves us looking at artists who use materials in sculpture, and then we're going to move on to looking at some of the techniques used in creating a sculpture.

I'm super excited about this lesson, and I hope you are too.

Let's begin.

Now, you can see three images on the screen, and I'd like you to think about this question.

What is sculpture? Hmm.

So what are your thoughts? Now, you may have said something along the lines of this.

A sculpture is a three-dimensional object.

What does that mean? So have a look at the image there.

It has height, width, and depth.

It is not flat like a drawing.

Sculptures can be created in many different ways.

Some artists use paper for sculptures.

Other artists can use recyclable materials.

It really depends on what the artist is trying to achieve.

Now, a sculpture is built by joining materials together.

Now, there are different ways you can join these materials together, and we're going to explore those later on.

Sometimes a sculpture can be interactive.

You may have seen some interactive sculptures in parks, or maybe even galleries that you have visited.

Now, a sculpture can be any scale, such as large or small.

Where have you seen a sculpture before and what did it look like? Have a think.

This has made me remember one of the sculptures that I really liked seeing when I was younger.

Now, I love cats.

There is a cat sculpture in Catford.

I always wondered how did the artist make that sculpture? I wonder what you thought about.

Over to you.

Well, you could think about this question very carefully.

So what is unique about sculpture as an art form? Is it A, it is always colourful, B, it is flat, or C, it is three-dimensional? You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So how did you do? Well, the answer is C.

Sculptures can be a variety of colours, but they will always be three-dimensional.

And what does that mean? It means that they will have height, width, and depth.

They will not be flat.

So here we've got a picture of sculptures in Trafalgar Square.

Sculptures are all around us.

You might see them in parks, museums, or even in busy streets.

Now, some sculptures are made to make places look beautiful while others tell a story or remind us of something important.

Examples of sculptures include Chila Kumari Singh Burman's "My Tiger Janu," 2022, Yinka Shonibare's "Feeling Free Like a Bird," 2023, and Louise Bourgeois "Spider Couple." These artists create sculptures, but they each use different techniques and styles that express their ideas.

I wonder if you can think of any other artists that also create sculptures.

To you.

Which of the following are reasons that sculptures might be made? A, to look places look beautiful.

B, to tell a story.

Or C, to remind us of an important event.

You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So what did you get? If you got all three, you are correct.

Well done.

Sculptures are made for a variety of reasons, including making the surroundings more beautiful, telling a story, and commemorating important events.

Well done if you got that correct.

Let's move on.

This is the first task of this lesson cycle.

In your sketchbook, you're going to pick two sculpture artists to research.

So you can use a tablet or computer to help you with this research.

And then I would like you to find key facts about each artist, including their background, heritage, style, and famous words.

I'd like you to compare the two artists by noting the similarities, so the things that are the same, and differences in their work.

You could create a sketch of a sculpture inspired by one of the artists you researched.

Think about why you've picked that sculpture as well.

Did it remind you of something in the past, or is it because it's something that you just like to see? You could add labels to show the materials that were used.

Have fun researching the two artists, and also drawing the sculpture that you really like.

You could use this diagram to help you when it comes to comparing the two different artists.

Play when you're ready to rejoin us.

So how did you do? When comparing two artists, you may have noticed that they often use different sculpting techniques, or materials to create their work.

It's also interesting to see how their backgrounds or heritage might influence their style.

I think it's very interesting that artists create sculptures in different ways.

The one thing that connects them is that they are three-dimensional, but they may have different purposes.

Fantastic.

Let's move on to the second lesson cycle.

In this lesson cycle, we're now going to be focusing in on the techniques used in creating sculpture.

Let's get started.

Now, some sculptures are made of one material, but some artists combine materials to make an assembled sculpture.

I'm very drawn to artists who use different materials to create their sculpture.

So here we have an example of a sculpture that's created of bronze.

So this is known as a bronze sculpture.

And here we have an assembled sculpture.

Can you see how the artist has combined materials to create this sculpture of a bird? Now, sculptures create assembled sculptures by combining materials like metal, fabric, everyday objects, and wood.

What everyday objects could you use to create a sculpture? Have a think.

Hmm.

If I was to create an everyday sculpture, I'd look around my home or even a classroom to see if I can find things that I can use.

For example, at home, I might find an egg carton, a milk cap, milk bottle.

Obviously, I would make sure that I've washed and cleaned them so that they are ready to use.

At school, I might use things like tissue paper or cut-outs from a cardboard box.

I wonder if you got the same.

Let's move on.

Ooh, here we have an image of a sculptor creating something.

Let's have a look at what it is.

Now, the structure of a sculpture is like its skeleton.

It holds everything together and keeps it strong.

I would argue that the structure is the most important part of a sculpture 'cause without it, I wonder what would happen.

Oh, I think you guessed it.

Your sculpture would probably not be so stable without it.

A strong structure makes sure the sculpture will not fall apart, and can stand up securely, and that's super important when it comes to creating our sculpture.

We need to make sure that the structure is super secure.

Over to you.

The structure of a sculpture is like its because A, it makes the sculpture look beautiful.

B, it holds everything together and keeps it strong.

C, it decorates the outside of the sculpture.

D, it helps the sculpture change colour.

What do you think? You can pause the video here and click play when you've got the answer.

So how did you do? If you got B, you are correct.

The structure of a sculpture holds everything together and keeps it strong.

Here we have an image of an artist assembling materials together using glue to build a sculpture.

Now, sculptures use different techniques based on the materials, the structure they need and the effect they want to create.

Here are some assembly techniques sculptors use to secure a structure.

You may have come across some of these before, or you may have seen some of these in action.

Let's have a look together.

Glueing.

Hmm.

Sure you've glued some things together in the classroom or maybe even at home.

Welding is a process of joining two or more pieces of metal together by melting their edges and adding a filler material to form a strong bond as it cools and solidifies.

Nailing is the process of joining materials, usually wood, by driving a nail through them with a hammer or nail gun to hold them securely in place.

Tying is the process of securing or fastening objects together using a cord, rope or string by creating knots.

Wrapping involves covering or encasing an object by winding material, such as paper, fabric, or tape around it for protection, containment, or decoration.

Slotting is the process of creating or using a narrow cut, groove or opening, otherwise known as a slot, in a material to fit or join another part securely.

Stacking involves careful placing and balancing materials, such as blocks, stones, or other objects on top of one another in a deliberate arrangement to form stable, visually appealing structure or art.

All of these assembly techniques can be used in various ways.

There isn't one correct approach.

It all depends on artists' creative choices and purpose of the sculpture.

Each method can adapted to suit the desired style, structure and effect.

Over to you.

What is one assembly technique used to secure a structure? Is it A, painting, B, drawing, C, sanding, or D, glueing ? What do you think? You can pause the video here t have a think.

Welcome back.

What did you get? The answer is D, glueing.

Well done if you got that correct.

Glueing is an assembly technique that can be used to secure a structure.

Onto the last task for this lesson.

So what I'd like you to do is take pieces of paper and tear them into smaller pieces to create your own paper sculpture.

I'd like you to use some of the techniques from the lesson, such as glueing , stacking, or slotting.

You could work with a partner to assemble your sculpture together.

Now remember, when it comes to this task, you can use whatever type of paper you'd like.

You've got magazine, newspapers, or even coloured paper.

Remember, you're the artist, you make the choices.

There is no right or wrong answer When it comes to the techniques, keep an eye out on which you find easier and what actually works for you.

You might find that glueing and stacking may be easier for you to construct your sculpture.

You may find that slotting works well to create a stronger base.

See how things go.

And then what I'd like you to do is with a partner, discuss which assembly technique you preferred and why.

You can pause the video here.

Off you go.

Have fun.

Remember, you can choose which materials you'll be using, and I hope you enjoy creating your paper sculpture.

So how did you do? Well, you may have created something like this.

Sculpture is in the form of a ball, and we can see that paper has actually been held and stuck together.

I think the artist has definitely used glue as their assembly technique.

Now, for part two, you may have discussed something along the lines of this.

Sofia says, "I liked glueing because it made the strips of paper stay in place to make a secure structure." Andeep says, "I preferred stacking because I could build quickly and change things around if I didn't like them.

It felt like building with blocks and I could make a tall structure without waiting for the glue to dry." So can you see here how the different techniques actually have different positives and negatives? We can see that without using the glue, Andeep it didn't need to wait around, whereas Sofia found that glueing was easier because it actually created a secure structure.

I wonder if you found the same when you were experimenting with creating your sculpture.

We've made it to the end of this lesson.

Well done.

I hope you really enjoyed this first lesson on learning about sculpture.

Let's summarise our learning.

So today you researched about artists who have assembled materials to make sculptures.

You now understand that a sculpture is a three-dimensional art form created by shaping or combining materials.

Artists use various techniques to assemble sculptures, such as slotting, glueing , and stacking.

And you used some of these, or if not all of these securing techniques today.

You also now understand that the structure of a sculpture is like its skeleton as it holds everything together and keeps it strong.

Thank you so much for joining me in this lesson and I hope to see you in the next one.

Bye.