Believe it or not, back when I sculpted this, people remarked upon how much it resembled my mother. I didn’t see it, but what do I know.
Photo by Peter Nemetz
White Lady, circa 1965
By Bill Andersen, under the instruction of Olivier Strebelle
Plaster, height approximately 40 inches (over lifesize)
Present whereabouts unknown
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Truly wonderful! One of my favorites!
I am always overwhelmed when I think of the talent necessary to create art in three dimensions. Good stuff.
What material did you use when you sculpted that figure?
I sculpted the original positive using about 450 lbs of wet clay over an armature. Then I made a two piece plaster waste mould on top of that. The process involves taking the two halves of the mould apart, removing all of the clay. The inside of the mould is coated with a separating agent and then more plaster of paris is layered onto the insides of the mould halves. Layers of plaster-soaked burlap strips are included for strength. Then the mould halves are put back together and the outside seams are plastered shut to hold the thing together. The inside seams are covered and burlapped too. I could reach inside through the opening at the bottom.
Once everything was dry and set, I chipped away the outer mould, revealing the positive inside. It as hollow…about an inch thick…. burlap reinforced plaster of paris. If it remains indoors, it might still exist somewhere. If it was left outside in the rain, it’s history.