MCA Denver Teens Tactile Workshop - Sculpture from Raised Line Drawings

The second session of the Tactile Art workshop series in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MCA), Denver explored spatial orientation, proportion, perspective, and sensory input by creating artistic renditions of an object. I’d like to thank Alyssa Lubow, Manager of Youth Programming at MCA, for organizing this workshop and Emilie Gossiaux for sharing her talent as a guest artist.

October 26 Workshop: Creating Sculpture from Raised Line Drawings

Guest Artist: Emilie Gossiaux
Collaborating Artist: Rishika Kartik

We first listened to an engaging presentation by Emilie Gossiaux about her practice of creating sculpture from raised line drawings. Participants then analyzed an armature or object of their choice and learned how to use tactile references to create raised line drawings. After learning drawing techniques as choosing objects to study, we used crayons to investigate how to add texture and dimension to the drawings. Subsequently, students learned how to create 3D versions of the object using air dry clay, taking inspiration from their reference drawings. While they sculpt, they continued to converse and gained knowledge about mixed media work from acclaimed tactile artist Emilie Gossiaux. Emilie is an award winning artist who incorporates a variety of tactile media to create engaging multisensory pieces and discover new ways of experiencing art. She talked with teens about her work, the evolution of her practice after becoming blind, and how she approaches art through touch and non-visual input. It was great to investigate drawing and sculpture from a tactile lens, and we are excited to continue broadening the notions of accessible art forms in our upcoming spring workshops. Here are a few pictures of the workshop along with Emilie’s work.

The Rose: Complete Object Study

This image features a raised line drawing of a rose from reference (left), a black, white, and red rendition with crayons (center), and a grey clay sculpture (right).

The Rose: Complete Object Study

This image features the same 3 elements (rough sketch, drawing, in a different photographical composition against a wooden background.

The Rose: Sketch

This image is an aerial view sketch of a rose from reference. It was created using raised line drawing techniques and black ballpoint pen. Hashed lines indicate depth and add texture to the sketch.

The Rose: Drawing

This drawing is inspired by the sketch of a rose from aerial view. The rose has black, red, and white petals emerging from the center. The raised line drawing was colored with crayon, and a band of red emerges from the center to the bottom edge for visual interest.

The Rose: Sculpture

This is an aerial photo of a rose sculpture. The sculpture was inspired by the rose drawing, and renders the two dimensional depiction of a rose into a three dimensional grey flower. The rose is juxtaposed against a bright red-orange background.

Self Portrait With London

This is a colorful sketch by Emilie Gossiaux, created with ballpoint pen and crayon on paper. Emilie is pictured in 3/4 view on the left with long brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Next to her, her guide dog London is portrayed in side profile looking away. Her collar is black, her nose is pink, and her fur is golden brown.

Emilie and London with drawing

This is a photo of artist Emilie Gossiaux and her guide dog London in 2017. Emilie is holding a raised line drawing in ballpoint pen on paper of London laying down .

Dancing with London: Sketch

This is a raised line drawing in ballpoint pen on paper by artist Emilie Gossiaux. Two profile views of London are depicted on either side of the drawing standing on their hind legs. London’s arms are outstretched, dancing with an abstract representation of human arms in the center.

Dancing with London: Sculpture

This is a larger than life sculptural rendition of “Dancing with London: the sketch”. The sculpture is in a gallery space and each gray dog is over five feet tall! The interactive installation was created with paper and clay, and allows the viewer to become part of the sculpture in the center.

Dancing With London:Installation

This is a full aerial installation shot of the Dancing with London Sculpture in an exhibition space. It is pictured alongside some other pieces of Emilie’s installation work.

About the Tactile Art Workshop series:

This interactive, virtual workshop series is an engaging creative outlet for teens who are blind and visually impaired or interested in accessible tactile art. Each session will focus on utilizing three-dimensional media to create artwork that explores spatial relationships, texture and form. As participants explore the materials and creative process, they will hear from an inspiring artist who is blind to learn about their story and artistic practice. The first two sessions will take place on October 22nd and October 26th. Stay tuned for more tactile workshops in the spring of 2021.


Artist Bio: Emilie Gossiaux

Emilie Gossiaux is an interdisciplinary artist who works with drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation. Her work explores the phenomenology of dreams, memories, and multi-sensory experiences. Since losing her vision in 2010, her altered experiences of the world have encouraged her practice to grow both spiritually, and formally. Gossiaux relies solely on her sense of touch and proprioception, demonstrating a profound sensitivity of texture, space, and material. Alongside her studio art practice, Gossiaux also works as a museum educator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with Access and Community programs. She has shown her work widely in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, London, and Dusseldorf.

About Touch & Create Studio:

Touch and Create Studio (TCS) was founded by artist Rishika Kartik with the mission to provide opportunities and outlets to the Blind and Visually Impaired Community to experience and create accessible art and develop Tactile Arts curriculum to be incorporated into regular schooling as an integral part of holistic education for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Tags:
#tactilceart, #Artfortheblind, #touchart, #visuallyimpaired, #blindartist,, #accessibleart, #artforall, #sensoryart, #BlindandVI, #accessibility, #inclusion, #artmuseums, #artforeveryone, #accessiblemuseum
Art for the visually impaired, Art for the Blind