What Do You Call Art With Clay?

Clay art encompasses a wide range of creative works using clay as the primary material. Clay is an ancient art medium that remains popular today for its versatility, accessibility, and tactile nature.

Some of the most common types of clay art include:

• Sculpture – Creating 3D forms and figures from clay.
• Pottery – Making functional and decorative vessels, plates, and bowls from clay.
• Jewelry – Crafting wearable pieces like beads, pendants, and buttons from polymer and terra cotta clays.
• Architecture – Using structural clay products like bricks, tiles, and terra cotta in construction and design.
• Painting – Applying clay slip, engobe, and pigments onto the surface of pottery and sculptures.

The practice of manipulating and firing clay to create objects dates back over 20,000 years. Some of the earliest known clay artifacts include Venus figurines and pottery discovered in central Europe. Clay continue to be an important material in ancient cultures from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and the Americas to make pottery, bricks, figurines, and more.

Today, clay remains a versatile, creative medium embraced by professional artists, crafters, and everyday hobbyists around the world. From ancient pottery wheels to modern kilns, ceramic art continues to evolve and take new forms while maintaining its timeless appeal.

Sculpting with Clay

Clay is a popular medium for sculpting art. There are many different techniques used for sculpting with clay. According to WikiHow, some key techniques include starting with basic shapes like balls or snakes, using wire frames for support, hollowing out forms, blending clay, carving detail, and smoothing the surface (source). eHow outlines techniques like molding a rough shape to start, adding clay to build up the sculpture, using basic sculpting tools, baking pieces in a kiln, and painting with acrylics or oils (source).

There are many types of clay that can be used for sculpting, including polymer clay, oil-based clay, earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Polymer clay is popular for small detailed pieces as it can be hardened by baking. Oil-based clays provide more flexibility. Porcelain is known for its smooth white finish when fired in a kiln.

Some of the most famous clay sculptures include the Terracotta Army sculptures in China, the Venus of Willendorf from over 20,000 years ago, the iconic Thinker sculpture by Auguste Rodin, and Michelangelo’s famous David statue.

Pottery

Pottery encompasses ceramic objects made from clay that have been hardened by heat. There are several techniques for creating pottery including handbuilding methods and wheel throwing. Some common handbuilding techniques are pinching, coiling, and slab building. These allow the potter to shape the clay by hand into various forms such as bowls, plates, and vases.

Wheel throwing involves using a potter’s wheel to form the clay into symmetrical forms. As the wheel spins, the potter uses their hands to shape and raise the walls of the clay. Wheel throwing enables the creation of uniform pieces and is ideal for making vessels and bowls. Skilled potters can use the wheel to make intricately shaped objects. Basic wheel throwing techniques involve centering the clay on the wheel, opening up the ball of clay, raising the walls, and refining the shape and size.

Clays used for pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Earthenware is a soft, porous clay that can be fired at lower temperatures to harden it. Stoneware is denser and non-porous if vitrified, making it good for functional pottery. Porcelain is highly vitrified and translucent after firing, ideal for decorative objects. The clay body composition affects the feel, porosity, color, and workability. Glazing and firing techniques further influence the final appearance and properties of the fired pottery.

Jewelry Making with Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a popular material for making jewelry. It is lightweight, easy to work with, and holds fine detail well. Some common techniques for making polymer clay jewelry include:

Caning – This involves stacking and cutting thin sheets of conditioned polymer clay to create patterned canes that can then be sliced to reveal complex designs. The slices are applied to jewelry components.

Mokume Gane – Meaning “wood grain” in Japanese, this mimics the look of woodgrain by layering and blending differently colored clays. The patterned clay sheets are then cut into pieces to cover jewelry components.

Other techniques like extruding the clay into beads, using cutters and texture sheets, dot and strip applique, etching, and mixing with inclusions can create diverse effects. The lightweight durability of polymer clay makes it a versatile jewelry-making material for crafters of all levels.

Clay in Architecture

Clay has been used in architectural design and construction for thousands of years. The earliest recorded use of clay bricks dates back to 7500 BCE in regions like Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley where clay was abundant. Sun-dried clay bricks were an affordable and readily available building material for ancient civilizations.

Over time, more advanced techniques emerged for manufacturing and firing clay to produce stronger and more durable architectural ceramics. Glazed bricks, terra cotta tiles, and decorative terra cotta facades became hallmarks of certain architectural styles. Clay’s versatility, affordability, and aesthetic qualities made it an ideal building material.

Some key uses of clay in architecture include:

• Clay bricks – Used structurally in walls, arches, and other building elements. Fired clay bricks last longer than sun-dried adobe bricks.
• Terra cotta tiles – Used for roofing and flooring. Glazed terra cotta tiles add color and protect buildings.
• Terra cotta ornamentation – Decorative terra cotta elements adorn building facades. Terra cotta can be sculpted into decorative reliefs, cornices, columns, and more.

Notable examples of clay architecture include the Ziggurat of Ur built with mud bricks in 2100 BCE and the Forbidden City in Beijing decorated in ornate glazed tiles and terra cotta. The versatility and timeless beauty of clay’s use in architecture continues today.

Sources:

https://tellingrainscreens.co.uk/unearthed-the-timeless-tale-of-clay-in-architecture/

https://www.theclaystudio.org/exhibitions/architectural-clay

Clay Animation

Clay animation, often referred to as claymation, is a type of stop motion animation that uses clay or plasticine modeling clay figures. The history of clay animation dates back to 1897 when the material plasticine was invented. It was soon discovered that plasticine was perfect for animation, as it can be easily shaped and molded while also maintaining its shape over time. Some of the first clay animated films were created in the early 1900s by animators like Willie Hopkins and Helena Smith Dayton.

Claymation grew in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s with animators experimenting with clay characters. In the 1930s, animators like Eli Brucker began using clay to animate figures interacting with real world objects and people. In the 1950s and 1960s, Art Clokey created the iconic clay animated series Gumby and Davey and Goliath which further brought claymation into the mainstream.The peak era for claymation was the 1970s-1990s, with classics like the California Raisins ads and Wallace & Gromit being created. Notable clay animated films from this period include Chicken Run. Today claymation continues to be used, blending with computer animation in films like 2009’s Fantastic Mr. Fox.

To create claymation, animators commonly use plasticine modeling clay. The clay figurines are shaped into characters that are then meticulously moved and photographed one frame at a time. The animator makes slight adjustments to the figures, changing facial expressions or moving limbs, between each frame. When the sequence of still images is played back it gives the illusion of fluid movement and animation. It’s a labor intensive process but the ability to shape clay into anything makes it a uniquely flexible animation medium.

Clay Painting

One unique type of clay art is clay painting, which typically uses cold porcelain clay as the “canvas.” Cold porcelain is a non-fired modeling clay that air dries and hardens over time. It provides an ideal surface for painting as it has a smooth, matte finish when dry.

To create a clay painting, artists roll out slabs of cold porcelain clay into sheets, let them dry, and then use acrylic or oil paints to create artwork on the surface. The clay can be shaped into panels, canvases, bowls, or any form the artist desires before painting. Some clay painters also add texture by impressing designs into the clay.

Clay painting allows artists to explore the canvas and textures of clay while utilizing traditional painting techniques. Color mixing, brushwork, impasto, glazing, and other methods can be used to create unique works of art.

Finished clay paintings have a three-dimensional, sculptural feel compared to traditional two-dimensional paintings. The art also does not require firing, allowing the artist to continuously work the surface and make revisions over time. Clay painting has grown in popularity for its accessibility to hobbyists and versatility for professional artists. (Source)

Therapeutic Uses

Working with clay can provide numerous therapeutic benefits, especially for mental health. The tactile nature of clay makes it an ideal medium for artistic expression and emotional release. Molding and sculpting clay engages both hands and can lower stress and anxiety levels by promoting a state of calm focus and flow. According to research by Meighan, clay play therapy activates bilateral brain integration, stimulating connections between the emotional right brain and rational left brain (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-92194-012).

Interacting with clay allows individuals to nonverbally communicate thoughts and feelings they may struggle to express through words alone. The physicality of the clay enables a mind-body connection and release of inner tensions. Destroying clay forms can also provide a constructive outlet for anger or frustration. Creating personally meaningful clay objects can build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

In a therapeutic setting, clay facilitates enhanced communication and interaction between client and therapist. The clay gives patients something concrete to focus on during counseling sessions, reducing stress and opening up opportunities for discussion. Overall, clay art therapy provides a versatile medium for creative expression, communication, and healing.

Getting Started with Clay Art

For beginners interested in getting started with clay art, having the proper supplies and learning some basic techniques will pave the way for sculpting success. Some essential supplies to have on hand include clay, sculpting tools, a work surface, and safety equipment like an apron and gloves.

Air-dry clays like Model Magic or Crayola’s Model Magic are great starter clays that do not require baking or firing. These clays are inexpensive and easy to use right out of the package. For more advanced projects, clays like Super Sculpey, polymer clay, or natural earthenware clays may be preferred. Basic sculpting tools include loop tools, ribs, cutters, and modeling tools to shape and refine the clay.

When starting a new clay sculpture, envision the final piece first. Then, build up the basic forms using solid balls and coils of clay. Add details slowly and carefully. Let the clay firm up a bit between steps to avoid collapse. Take care not to create thin protruding pieces of clay that may break off easily. Allow adequate drying time before baking or firing finishing pieces.

For those seeking more guidance, beginner clay sculpting classes are offered at many local art centers, ceramics studios, and parks departments. These classes cover topics like using the wheel, handbuilding techniques, glazing, and more. Learning alongside an experienced instructor allows beginners to advance their skills quickly in a supportive environment.

With the right supplies and a little practice, clay art can be mastered by motivated beginners of all ages. Starting simple and being patient are keys to success when embarking on this rewarding creative journey.

Notable Clay Artists

Ceramic art has a long and storied history, with clay artists using this versatile medium to create stunning sculptures, vessels, tiles, and more. Here are some profiles of famous ceramicists who have made major contributions to the field of clay art:

Bernard Leach was a pioneering British potter who helped spread interest in handmade functional pottery around the world (Source: https://artfilemagazine.com/famous-ceramic-artists/). Leach studied pottery in Japan in the early 1900s, and went on to establish the iconic Leach Pottery in St Ives, England. His stoneware pots based on Asian and English traditions were hugely influential.

Peter Voulkos was an American ceramic sculptor known for his abstract, improvisational works. He is credited with helping establish ceramics as a serious fine art form (Source: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/voulkos-peter/). Voulkos experimented with techniques like stacking slabs and throwing large-scale forms, shattering norms for ceramic art.

Viola Frey was an American sculptor famous for her larger-than-life ceramic figures of people. Frey’s subjects ranged from anonymous businessmen to famous figures like Mao Zedong (Source: https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/biography/viola-frey). Her monumental sculptures offered cultural commentary about consumerism, gender, and more.

Jennifer McCurdy creates stunning porcelain sculptures inspired by nature, such as flowers, seashells, and coral. Her works feature intricate details and dazzling glazes (Source: https://www.jennifermccurdy.com/about). McCurdy pushes the technical boundaries of porcelain to create incredibly delicate, lifelike sculptures.