Sgraffito Name Plate

The assignment for this project was to create a name plate for an art exhibition using clay and a technique called sgraffito. For my name plate I created a two-dimensional scroll with an image of the Vitruvian man next to my name in cursive text.

To create this piece I first rolled out clay, cut away the outline of a scroll, and cut out circles to hold the name plate. After firing the clay, I applied a black underglaze and fired the glazed pallet again. The sgraffito technique is characterized by the removal of parts of a surface layer to reveal a contrasting under layer. I used various tools to scratch away the black underglaze that covered the surface to create my design with the contrasting under layer. I began by scratching away wide contours of the curls of the scroll, which frame the plate. I then used a compass and straightedge to create the circle and square for the Vitruvian man. I used reference images from the internet to complete the design, and added my name lastly. While carving on the pallet in its greenware state, the corner broke off and I had to reattach it using glue. The application left a mark across the corner, which I decided not to cover. Similarly, I left flaws in the Vitruvian man uncovered for a rustic and stylistic effect.

I chose to use the Vitruvian man, originally drawn by Leonardo DaVinci, on my name plate because it is a symbol commonly used to represent the study of the human anatomy. This year I studied the human anatomy in a nontraditional sense in that I made it the focus of my concentration. The rustic style of the scroll is consistant with the theme in which the Vitruvian man is often portrayed, and I liked this aesthetic. I think that this piece could be stronger if it had a deeper connection to my concentration as a whole and served as an extension rather than a label. The most challenging part of this process was carving in the clay without cracking it, as it was in its most delicate state. I am most proud of the detail I was able to create in the Vitruvian man and I think that the symbol is easily recognizable. This piece illustrates my strength as an artist in my ability to work with new techniques and it shows weakness in the lack of an original design.