Assemblage Sculpture

Endangered and Recycled

14" x 32"

Newspaper, Tape, Cans, Paper Bags

These images are two different angles of my assemblage sculpture of an elephant, made out of newspaper, tape, cut-up cans, and paper bags. One large theme that inspired both the topic and materials used was what is happening and has happened in the real world around us. Elephants are often hunted and killed for the use of their skin, tusks, and meat, so creating an elephant was not only a good way to be able to show that they are endangered and being wrongfully killed all the time, but I also think they're a very cool animal are majestic and pretty.

The materials I chose are almost all recycled and being reused to create this which I really like and I'm glad that I chose to do that. While this isn't the most detailed or scientifically accurate elephant, it's art, and it came out pretty similar to the way I was hoping it would. I like the sort of abstract feel it has to it, and it's messy but cool at the same time. I like the cut-up cans and how the different parts of the elephant are made out of different things, so I'm happy with the materials and how I chose to use them. I started with a newspaper interior to create the starting shape and used tape to get it firm and together. I then cup up lots of seltzer cans I had at my house and used both hot glue and tape to stick those to the exterior. I also used paper bags to create a different look on the legs and head which I think looks cool and different.

Now looking back at the finished product, I like the way it turned out. I think that if I had a little bit more time and was able to take my idea further, I might've added more detail and made it a bit more accurate to an actual elephant. But in general, I'm happy with it and I think it does and says what it needs to. It stands up which was difficult to achieve at times, and it's clear what the idea was. Because I was using metal cans, it made shaping and adding pieces quite difficult at times because it's not the easiest material to work with. But I like the way it looks and I'm happy that this was our way of ending the year.