Christy Keeney's visit

Working on a clay in the mould

Christy Keeney came to the college for most of the week starting 26th March. On Monday he spoke about the changes in his work as well as things that had influenced his work. His style has changed quite a lot since he was a student here. With photos he showed us some of the processes he used in making his pieces.

Scouring the edge of the clay

Putting slip on the edge of the clay

Taking off the mould

Working on the shape of the hair

Keeney also gave a demonstration. He made one of his heads in the classroom as an example of how we could make ours. I got plenty of photos of the demonstration. It was very interesting. As he made the whole piece so quickly he had to use a heating tool to stiffen up the clay.

He used a mould to made the base of his figure, we wouldn't be able to make our head the same way as there was only one of these. Using the slab roller, two large slabs of clay were rolled out and placed on each side of the mould. They were firmly pressed in place. The edges were scored and slipped before they were put together.

Adding the finishing touches

Experimenting with the hand

All that was left was to build up the shape of the hair, add features and finish it off. Keeney also, at the request of the tutor, experimented with adding a hand but I think he left it off in the end.