Unyielding

Unyielding, 2020

Sculpture, plaster cast, acrylic paint, chains

6” x 3” x 3.5”

Unyielding is a sculpture depicting humanity’s attempt to overcome death. I used the figure of a skull as the baseline for my design; implementing additive methods of sculpting using oil-based clay, transforming my subject into a desired composition that would best fit my narrative. Molded using plaster gauze; cutting it into pieces then dipping it in water, slowly adding layers to my piece to render the best detail within the mold. Casted using plaster, slowly pouring it into the mold and shaking it slightly to get rid of any built-up bubbles within. Ultimately applying color and texture to my piece using acrylic paint.

The composition of my work developed using symbolism, a stylized upside-down skull represents the Mexican belief that turning icons of saints on their heads would bring good luck in one’s life however, in this piece is meant convey luck over death. A pair of hands clasped together protruding from the skull is humanity’s collective hopefulness to overcome death yet not being able to separate from it; painted in muddy colors recalling the Catholic origin of humanity, rising from the mud, and becoming whole yet in this instance it is restrained from fully taking form. A shackle made of a living snake contrasting the restraint on the clasped hands, a representation of the devil’s grasp on the dead; adorned with golden scales to adhere with Satan’s biblical description as being one of the most beautiful angels in heaven. Lastly, the chains further emphasize the struggle life must bear to overcome death, an unreachable wish destined to fail.