Past It

NOTE!!! ---> Detail pictures in WIP gallery

Mediums: wood (lumber, masonite), glass, brass hinges, industrial plaster, arcrylic paint
Dimensions: w-5 inches, l-2ft, h-2ft

This was supposed to be a social commentary piece about looking past the title of "North American Indian" and examining those who are labeled as such as both groups of people, and as individuals.

The symbol that is sand-blasted on the glass doors is part of a commonly used pattern in First Nations culture, and I just called it the star-blanket pattern. Most people recognize and associate it with Aboriginal peoples. I made the doors myself, but had them cut into squares by professional glass cutters.
The body parts are all mould-casted, from moulds I made myself done the same way as my Basics piece; they're made from industrial plaster. I made the wooden shelf myself, as well. cut, assembled and sanded and everything ;o

It was extremely difficult trying to create the castings of each body part as pieces kept getting stuck in my mould, and the consistencies of the plaster varied so sometimes it would chip or just crumble off so each piece is very unique--just like each first nations tribe, or each individual.

The glass was tough too. Some of the doors are missing; they broke. It SUCKED. As soon as I got the piece to the studio, I accidently set it on the table upside down, and because the hinges were at the top of each shelving unit, and are very loose and easy to open... the glass naturally fell forward onto the table and shattered. ... I was ready to die. This was all ten minutes before it was supposed to be examined and graded x_x

So I made new doors the next couple days later and it's currently being shown in the student art gallery at the First Nations University of Canada in my city :)