Is it the eternal, ever changing landscape?

Plaster Tile and the process

Elements of the bog were used to take documentary evidence of the different types of plant life that is evident during the summer period on our local bogland.

Preparation:

Initially the children rolled out ceramic clay, cut and trimmed it, and gently pressed it into small plastic food containers, as you would if rolling out pastry to fit into the base of a tin. The lid of the food container was placed on the container to keep the clay moist until our next art session. 

Field trip:

On our subsequent trip to the bog a small collection of plant life samples were collected. On our return to the classroom these plant samples were gently pressed into the moist clay. The samples were then gently removed from the clay, leaving a relief print pattern embedded in the clay.

A mixture of plaster of paris powder and water was individually, carefully weighed and measured, mixed together and poured in over the clay. The plaster liquid settled into the relief print detail and recorded the shape, in all its fine detail. The plaster and clay was left overnight in the food container to dry, to allow the plaster to fully harden. The plaster absorbs a hint of colour and moisture from the clay, in this case it absorbed mild grey tones. from the clay

The images below show the beautiful detail which was captured in the plaster. There was great excitement in lifting the plaster of the clay as the image detail captured was very slowly revealed. This process required a lightness and gentleness of touch as well as exact measurements, so that the plaster would capture as much fine detail as possible and also to make sure the plaster would set.

On a later trip to the bog the children photographed their plaster tile in its natural habitat.