Leather as a Medium for Sculpture

Progress in technology has made it possible for new materials to be introduced in production of goods. Sculptures have been done using conventional materials such as clay, metal, stone, plaster of Paris, cement, plastiscine and others.  These materials are expensive and difficult to acquire.  Besides, works from these materials are massive.  Searching for new grounds in sculpture makes it expedient to explore alternative materials. Giving the reason that this technological age calls for a lot of experimenting with new materials and methods of working with old materials, the use of leather for sculpture is worth experimenting.  There is the need for further exploration within the boundaries of leather that can be incorporated into sculpture to be known as leather-sculpture.

In this search, leather was identified, processed and used to make sculpture.  In the modelling, an armature was built and reinforced with mashed paper mixed with P.V.A. glue.  Leather was then modelled with Formica glue and left to dry.  The relief image was carved on elephant leather by removing the unwanted parts bit by bit to achieve the desired form, and then polished with lacquer.  The cast image in leather was made from a clay mould.  It was dried with a hand dryer to take the form of the mould, and then given a finish.  The constructed forms were done by gluing pieces of different sizes of leather on cards with Formica glue to create forms.  The forms were then joined into the constructed image with a good finish.

The works produced in this project are portable, lightweight and transportable sculptures that are suitable for indoor decoration.  The skills involved can be used to produce small and lightweight sculptures as souvenir to give the tourism industry a boost.  Besides, the scare, which is a hindrance to sculpture, as expressed by the young ones, due to its strenuous nature, it is limited.  It is a clue to those who find it cumbersome and difficult in the acquisition of the conventional materials for sculpture.  It is recommended that other durable leather is explored for sculpture.

In order to boost up Ghana’s tourism industry, the project report will motivate sculptors to produce more sculptures of this kind of compliment the other leather articles that are already on the Ghanaian market.  Leather was conveniently used in modelling, carving, casting and construction.  It is generally recommended that sculptors and students produce more sculpture in leather.