
Surreal Bust


01
Construction
My first step in this project was to sculpt the facial structure using studio clay, creating a traditional bust with a unique twist for the eyes. Instead of typical eyes, I designed butterflies. These were crafted from clay, cut out with a cookie cutter, and then I pinched the edges to achieve a smoother finish.
Next, I used underglaze to paint each butterfly in different colors, finishing them with a clear topcoat for a glossy effect. After the bust was fired in the kiln, I mixed acrylic paints to custom create a skin tone and used the same type of paint for her lips.
To give the bust a more natural and textured look, I covered most of it with sheets and clusters of moss, which I glued on. For her afro, I started with a Styrofoam sphere, carving out a section to fit snugly on her head. I then glued artificial flowers onto the sphere one by one. To achieve a fuller appearance, I filled any empty spots with additional moss.
02
Inspiration
For this project, I was inspired by natural Afrocentric beauty. I crafted the nose to resemble mine, opting for a fuller shape rather than a small button nose. Her skin was mixed to achieve a rich, milk chocolate tone, and her lips were sculpted to somewhat mirror my own.
To emphasize her African descent and to tie in with the overall theme, I replaced her eyes with butterflies. The flowers arranged in her hair were designed to resemble a beautiful afro, celebrating natural hair textures.
Drawing from this inspiration, I titled my project "Natural Beauty," honoring the elegance and uniqueness of Afrocentric features.


03
Materials & Dimensions
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Studio Clay
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Underglaze
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Glaze
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Acrylic Paint
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Glue
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Moss
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Styrofoam Sphere
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Artificial Flowers
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13 x 12 x 10
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