In order to integrate students' learning of Japanese language, we have tackled many Japanese themed art projects this year.
This sculpture project was inspired by the work of grade 8 students from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy here at Artsonia. These ceramic kimonos were made by grade 4 and 5 students using slab construction techniques and stand approximately 15-20cm tall.
Students designed 3 paper template pieces for their kimono, much like a dress-making pattern which were laid onto thinly rolled slabs of clay and joined and sculpted to form a free-standing sculpture. (Having said that, many kimonos had to be glued to wooden bases after firing as they were a little unstable but I think either way looks fine).
Students used gloss glazes to add colour and pattern to their kimono, using Japanese papers and photographs of traditional kimonos as inspiration.
