Learn to Make Your Own Anatomical Wax Votives or Life and Death Masks with Artist and Ceroplast Sigrid Sarda at Observatory, This June!

Some of you out there might remember a recent post on this blog about the work of one of our favorite contemporary artists, self taught ceroplast Sigrid Sarda, whom you might also have seen profiled on the "Wax" episode of The Midnight Archive (see above) or on the fantastic i09.com.

We at Morbid Anatomy are very, very delighted to announce that Sigrid will be bringing her amazing craftsmanship (see her wax self-portrait-in-progress photographed above) to Observatory to teach two special classes developed as part of the nascent Morbid Anatomy Art Academy. The first class, Life and Death Mask Making Workshop, will take place on Sunday, June 3rd, and the second class. Anatomical Wax Votive Making Workshop will take place Sunday June 24th. In both classes, students will leave with their own finished piece to take home, and the knowledge to make their own pieces in the future.

Class size is very limited; if interested, please RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com.

Full details follow; hope to see you at one or both of these terrific classes!

Life and Death Mask Making Workshop with Artist Sigrid Sarda
Date: Sunday, June 3
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: $100 (includes $40 materials fee)
*** Limited class size; Must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

For many centuries and in many civilizations, artisans have created what are called "Life Masks" or "Death Masks" cast from the faces of the famous or the infamous to preserve their likeness--living or dead--for posterity. In this class, students will learn to create their very own Life Masks working with alginate--a non-toxic seaweed-based mold making product that is easy on the skin--and plaster. Students will pair up and cast one another, but don't be alarmed; the workshop's instructor Ms. Sarda assures us that you will love this experience, and that most everyone who has been cast comes out feeling relaxed to the point of jello, with the extra insentive of a free facial. All materials are included, and each student will leave class home with their face immortalized in plaster.
The day's schedule:

• Partnering up and casting
• Adding plaster to the negative mold
• An hour break for lunch (give or take depending on how fast the plaster dries)
• Demolding and cleaning the cast
• Touching up any imperfections in the plaster cast

Warning: If you are someone who is extremely claustrophobic, this is not for you. Dress casually and have fun!

Sigrid Sarda is self taught in the art of ceroplastics. She has been featured on such programs as The Midnight Archive and will be appearing on TV's Oddities this June. She will be showing her work in London this fall. You can find out more here, here and here.

Anatomical Wax Votive Making Workshop with Artist Sigrid Sarda
Date: Sunday, June 24
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: $145 (includes $63 materials fee)
*** Limited class size; Must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

The Votive: Expressing or symbolizing a wish, desire, or vow; Offered, given, undertaken, performed or dedicated in fulfillment of or in accordance with a vow.

Anatomical votives--or replicas of diseased body parts left at a holy place either in hopes of curing ailments or in gratitude for having been healed--have been widely utilized since ancient times. Common media for votives have included terra cotta, marble, silver, and, our personal favorite, wax. In this class, expert wax worker and artist Sigrid Sarda will teach students to create an uncannily lifelike wax votive of the body part of their choice. Each student will leave class with a finished wax votive as well as a knowledge of mold making, wax craft, and the history and meaning of the anatomical votive.
Students are encouraged to focus on an afflicted body part for which they seek relief, or, if they are lacking any unfortunate ailments--be it an ear ache, psoriasis, or that pesky cutaneous horn--to choose a body part that is symbolic to them in anticipation of a particular wish or prayer. Symbolic meanings include the hand which traditionally equates to justice, strength, pledge of faith, power or sincerity, and the foot equating to humility and respect. If that doesn’t suffice we’ll make one up as we go along.
Using an ancient formula created by practitioners of wax modeling, you will create an object for your prayer. The steps taken to reach the desired goal are: first, casting your body part into alginate and creating a negative mold; second, pouring wax into the mold; and finally, demold and clean your votive.

The class will begin with a short talk on the history of votives followed by casting the the body part of your choice. Next, we will take a short break for lunch. following which we will de-mold and clean your lovely wax votive. Please dress casually (it’s a bit messy and very fun). All you need is to bring yourself. All materials are provided, and you get to leave class with your very own votive.

Sigrid Sarda is self taught in the art of ceroplastics. She has been featured on such programs as The Midnight Archive and will be appearing on TV's Oddities this June. She will be showing her work in London this fall. You can find out more here, here and here.

You can find out more about Sigrid and her work here, here and here. You can find out about the classes and Observatory by clicking here. To sign up for the class, please RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com. All photos by Sigrd Sarda of her own work.