These two images represent the Javanese shadow puppets in Indonesia. People call them Wayang, meaning bayangan in Indonesian, which then translates to shadow in English. The term Wayang refers to both the puppet theatre and the puppet itself. This puppetry originated from India, specifically Hinduism.
The challenge was to make two tiles that connect to a cultural reference, but the second tile has to be opposite from the first one. Above, are my two sketches. I solved this challenge by using a Wayang spirit character for the first tile and a Wayang landscape for the second tile. The landscape is of a mountain, which I thought could be the opposite of the spirit. I also used my own ideas by having the vines and clouds border the two images. So this way, they are opposite but culturally connected as well. Puppeteers use vines and coulds as background details in the show.
Here, I have transferred the sketches onto two linoleum slabs using a graphite pencil. I then carved away the lines to create depth. By doing so, I was able to create a relief print on the actual clay. I found this method easier to do because of the details in the drawings.
The tiles above have been bisque fired. Before, I had the problem of printing the first image onto the clay. The image in the first tile didn't show up clearly. I tried pressing the linoleum template harder onto it, but it only smushed the clay. I should've waited until the clay was a bit leather hard because the clay was still too soft at first. The three bottles are different glazes that I eventually applied on the tiles. I wasn't sure how combining these colors would turn out on my tiles, but I took the risk anyway.
I'm still waiting for the final product of this project. The tiles still need to be fired a second time, after they were glazed.
I'm still waiting for the final product of this project. The tiles still need to be fired a second time, after they were glazed.