Collaborative Repoussé Project Evolves at Don Bosco Technical Academy

A collaborative metal engraving project is evolving at Don Bosco Technical Academy in art teacher Patty Kaminski's classroom.  

This project was begun earlier in the fall and was conceptualized by Ms. Kaminski in conjuction with WPU Art PIR Triada Samaras and WPU PIR Robin O'Brien.  The broad inspiration for this project is the artist El Anatsui whose art projects involve community collaboration, recycled metal scraps, and large scale. El Anatsui, born in 1944, is a Ghanaian sculptor active for much of his career in Nigeria.

Above:  Nigerian born Artist El Anatsui with one of his art projects

LINK

At Don Bosco Tecnical Academy (DBTA) Students are engraving small squares of copper foil with a pencil/pen and a wood stylus.  This is a two part process.  Students work on both sides of the copper foil to first, transfer the design, then next, emboss the copper foil.

Next they use colored, permanent markers to highlight their designs.  This process is also called  repoussé or tooling.  (For an example please see link below.)

 "Repoussé is a method of decorating metals in which parts of the design are raised in relief from the back or the inside of the article by means of hammers and punches; (for middle school a wood stylus and/or dull pencil is used) definition and detail can then be added from the front by chasing or engraving (for middle school colored sharpies are used).

 The name repoussé is derived from the French pousser, “to push forward.” This ancient technique, which has been used extensively throughout the history of metalworking, achieved widespread popularity in Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. (http://www.britannica.com/art/repousse) Another name used for this technique is called tooling."  LINK

In Ms. Kaminski's class, students are choosing African symbols and using them to communicate a desired message.  

Each student is creating a unique design.

 

Later these student generated individual art works will be joined together with other objects to create a large-scale and permanent artwork for the school.  

For a complete lesson plan see LINK

For a simple demonstration  see: LINK