Today’s guest post is by Cory Triplett and his 6th grade class, who show us their paper mache mummy and sarcophagus, complete with step-by-step photos. (We have an Egyptian art display in our local library, but we don’t have anything as impressive as this. All I can say is “wow!”) Their mummy was made in a manner very similar to the Figure Sculpture sent in by Michael Jacobson last week. This is turning into a really exciting, (yet completely accidental), series of posts about paper mache figure sculpture and portraits. Isn’t this fun?
And now I’ll turn it over to Cory:
Paper Mache Mummy and Sarcophagus
Cory, in Plastic
Last year I sent information on the paper mache panther that my class and I had made. This year we tackled quite the project. The 6th grade students were studying Egypt in History class, so what better way to tie that subject in to art than by making a life-sized mummy.
The students wrapped me with plastic wrap and then in layers of packaging tape. Once finished, another teacher cut me out and the teachers completed the head portion (for safety reasons). Later on in the year the students then covered the tape mummy with strips of muslin fabric coated with liquid starch. Our Mummy was complete!
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, in process
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, in process
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, in process
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, details added
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, painted white
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, painted gold
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, details painted with acrylics
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, detail
Paper Mache Sarcophagus, from the side
- My favorite online bookstore.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
This is truly amazing! I wish my 6th grade teacher was as Mr. Triplett!
6th grade is such a great time to teach about ancient Egypt. After I got back from Egypt in college, I was the guest speaker at “Ancient Egypt Day” for the Talented and Gifted 6th grade students. There were three schools represented, and 3 golden papier-mâché sarcophagi! I couldn’t take credit for that, but I did teach the students how to write their names in hieroglyphs.
hi
really excellent and an awesome work. just amazing to watch the steps of the outcome………….
no words to write..
keep going
sudha
Nick,
Thanks for the questions. The effect on the arms was done with Fabric (or Puff) Paint. Its stays puffy when it dries. The hands were done by squishing newpaper into that specific shape and taping them that way. As for the cling wrap, that is why I had other teachers supervise, because I knew I might not get out otherwise.
Dear Cory and class. This is one blown away Brit sitting up late in Paris, France, looking at this magnificent creation. 10/10! How did you get the wire effect on the arms, is that wire fencing pulled taught around the limbs? And the hands, are they just formed from papier mache? So many questions spring to mind looking at this. Nick
PS At my school we’d likely have picked you up when cling film wrapped and left you on the school lawn for a while, just to experience the glory of the Pharaohs in full:-)
Thank you all for the wonderful comments! A lot of work went into this project and I am happy to hear the positive responses. I was asked many times in college to change my major, and one of those was to graphic design, but I am glad I didn’t. I love being a teacher and I love seeing my students have as much fun as they do.
Oh My Goodness. Brilliant. Congratulations to you and your students on such a fine and well executed project. How lucky the school and students to have your talent. Had you thought of working with interior designers and the major NY Dept. Store window designers? Your work makes me think of this. Betty
Wow great job Cory, yourself and your students should be very proud of yourselves. Your students are very lucky to have you, this sort of project is something they will remember the rest of their lives.
Chris
Impressive Cory, it looks very nice, I don’t believe I had any teachers as committed and as talented as you in my early school days!
Well done!
What wonderfully amazing project. All I can say is, WOW!
Wow, this is brilliant. You and your students did a great job. Love it!