LASM Educator Ms. Marion was inspired to carve her own sculpture when she viewed the sculpture of Frank Hayden, which she saw at LASM! Hayden (1934-1988) is one of Louisiana's most influential sculptors. You may have seen Hayden's artwork on view in LASM's Bert S. Turner Family Atrium or in the current art exhibition Frank Hayden: Lift Every Voice. Since Ms. Marion didn't have access to mahogany, bronze, or fiberglass, which were Hayden's materials of choice, she chose to carve soap instead!
Frank Hayden, A Sequence of Life, 1974. Carved Honduran mahogany.
Loaned by Hancock Bank, L5.2002.
You will need:
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Bar of soap
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Pencil
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Paper
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Scissors
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Plastic butter knife
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Paper clip
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Paintbrush
Instructions:
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First, choose a flat surface with good lighting for your work space. Cover part of your work space with paper, and place a bar of soap onto the paper and trace its outline.
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Draw your chosen sculpture design inside of the paper outline, then use scissors to cut out your design.
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Create a stencil by placing your paper design on the bar of soap. Lightly carve the design into the soap using a pencil as a tool.
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Using a plastic knife, remove the large pieces of soap. Then, use a paper clip to shave off smaller pieces of soap.
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After shaping your sculpture, use a pencil to carve out the smaller details.
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Use a paintbrush to brush away the soap dust.
When you complete your sculpture, take a picture and share it with family and friends! Finally, use your leftover soap scraps to wash your hands.
Adapted from an activity by MetKids.
Step-by-Step Photos
Another Soap Sculpture Example
Feel free to use your creativity to design any sculptures you like. Ms. Marion decided to make some science-themed sculptures: an Erlenmeyer Flask and a beaker!
