This piece was done for my Advanced Sculpture Workshop class. The assignment was called "Attraction/Repulsion." The piece is made of bronze and coated in a clear spray-paint enamel. We were asked to create an "attractive" form out of the bronze and a second piece (or a second material integrated with the bronze) that would be "repulsive." My initial design proposal was rejected for not being "sensual/sexy" enough, so in frustration... I made breasts. I'm glad to have experienced the "traditional" bronze sculpture/technique, but I don't soon wish to go thru the long and tedious process again.
The forth, fifth, and sixth images show the "repulsive" back/under side of the piece. My intention was to display the "attractive" side while keeping the "repulsive" side hidden, so that the viewer has to peek around to find it. The materials used for the "repulsive" side were: latex rubber, cotton balls, and bits of wooden ash. Having both the "attractive" and "repulsive" sides is supposed to imply a general theme of "ugly hiding beneath the beauty."
Soon after the class critique was over, I ripped out the "repulsive" side. The texture on the back side of the piece is one of my favorite parts, as shown in the last two images. I created the texture on the backside by hitting the piece with a pointed slag-hammer for three hours.