Tin Relief
For this task you will be looking at two very different cultures to inspire and guide you in the creation of your own work. Both use precious materials and geometric patterns.
Ancient China
Ancient China was one of the oldest and longest lasting civilizations in the history of the world. The history of Ancient China can be traced back over 4,000 years. Located on the eastern part of the continent of Asia, today China is the largest country in the world.
Throughout most of China's history it was ruled by powerful families called dynasties. The first dynasty was the Shang and the last was the Qing.
Art, culture, and religion were often tied together. There were three main religions or philosophies including Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. They had many art forms. Including carved jade and wood. Cast metals such as bronze. Ceramics, the largest example of this is the 'terracota warriors.' Silk and paintings on silk.
Jade (green stone) and bronze were the most prized materials in Ancient China. Bronze was used to make ritual vessels, pots, bells, mirrors and weapons. They developed a unique way of casting bronze so that the object could be ornately decorated (image above).
Throughout most of China's history it was ruled by powerful families called dynasties. The first dynasty was the Shang and the last was the Qing.
Art, culture, and religion were often tied together. There were three main religions or philosophies including Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. They had many art forms. Including carved jade and wood. Cast metals such as bronze. Ceramics, the largest example of this is the 'terracota warriors.' Silk and paintings on silk.
Jade (green stone) and bronze were the most prized materials in Ancient China. Bronze was used to make ritual vessels, pots, bells, mirrors and weapons. They developed a unique way of casting bronze so that the object could be ornately decorated (image above).
Aztec and Inca Culture
Aztec Calendar Stone
Art in the Aztec empire, like its culture and religion, came from a long history, a history of many different tribes. Techniques and themes in Aztec art were influenced by hundreds, perhaps thousands of years of artistry in this part of the world. The Aztecs were the native people to the area before the Spanish invaded and the land became known as 'Mexico.'
Ancient Aztec art was for the upper class. It was also traded, and much of the materials used were imported from other peoples. This was the same for the jewellery.
Themes in ancient Aztec art The people of the empire had an appreciation for a wide variety of insects, birds, fish and animals. A lot of their art reflected this. Jaguars, ducks, monkeys, snakes, deer, dogs. All of these were common themes. You can read more here about Aztec symbols.
Of course, a lot of the art that has been preserved was religion related. The gods were often depicted, and they themselves often resembled animals of various kinds. The drawings of the gods were often sharp and angular, brightly coloured. Art would often show gods, or priests dressed as gods in a ritual, or Aztec warriors in their finery.
http://www.aztec-history.com
The Inca were from the Western coast of South America. Their civilisation began around 1400AD from a small tribe that became an empire. They had a rich history with ornate objects like jewellery. You may choose to use this theme for inspiration for your own metal projects.
Ancient Aztec art was for the upper class. It was also traded, and much of the materials used were imported from other peoples. This was the same for the jewellery.
Themes in ancient Aztec art The people of the empire had an appreciation for a wide variety of insects, birds, fish and animals. A lot of their art reflected this. Jaguars, ducks, monkeys, snakes, deer, dogs. All of these were common themes. You can read more here about Aztec symbols.
Of course, a lot of the art that has been preserved was religion related. The gods were often depicted, and they themselves often resembled animals of various kinds. The drawings of the gods were often sharp and angular, brightly coloured. Art would often show gods, or priests dressed as gods in a ritual, or Aztec warriors in their finery.
http://www.aztec-history.com
The Inca were from the Western coast of South America. Their civilisation began around 1400AD from a small tribe that became an empire. They had a rich history with ornate objects like jewellery. You may choose to use this theme for inspiration for your own metal projects.
The Inca's were renowned for their gold smithing. Unfortunately most of the artefacts did not survive after the Spanish invaded.
Your Task:
You will be using a recycled material of tin cans to create relief embossings.
Relief definition: To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane.
Draw 2 designs in your book for practise.
1. You will need to use geometric shapes and patterns in your design.
2. You will also need to consider the 'format.' You could:
Relief definition: To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane.
Draw 2 designs in your book for practise.
1. You will need to use geometric shapes and patterns in your design.
2. You will also need to consider the 'format.' You could:
- Use the tin like a canvas, creating an image.
- Create a box like the one shown in the video below.
- Cut up the tin into shapes and create links to join them together. This would be a good technique to try if you want to make a piece of jewellery.
Procedure:
1. Cut the tin can into a useable piece of metal. Start by inserting the cutting tool into the mouth of the can. Cut a line down the can. Cut off the top and bottom to create a rectangle of tin. Please be careful as the tin edges will be sharp!
2. Cut off any jagged edges and gently sand the edges to make it safe to hold the tin. If your piece is a different shape, such as disks to make jewellery, cut these out and then do the sanding process. Make sure you use a wood block user the sand paper to avoid cutting your hands.
3. Tape down your tin to a board. Transfer your design onto the tin.
4. Trace over your design with pressure to indent the pattern into the tin.
5. Flip your metal over. Now trace around your original design. This will help push your original pattern into higher relief (make it stand out).
6. You may need to touch up the first step. The more you trace each side, the better your relief will be.
2. Cut off any jagged edges and gently sand the edges to make it safe to hold the tin. If your piece is a different shape, such as disks to make jewellery, cut these out and then do the sanding process. Make sure you use a wood block user the sand paper to avoid cutting your hands.
3. Tape down your tin to a board. Transfer your design onto the tin.
4. Trace over your design with pressure to indent the pattern into the tin.
5. Flip your metal over. Now trace around your original design. This will help push your original pattern into higher relief (make it stand out).
6. You may need to touch up the first step. The more you trace each side, the better your relief will be.