My entries for the 2017 International Polymer Clay Awards

Voting has now ended for this competition, which had the theme ‘To Boldly Go’, so I can now reveal my three entries. Just got to wait, with interest, for the winners to be announced on 16 August (likely to be 17 August NZ time).

Entry 1 - Poppy 

Category: Non-functional sculpture & hanging art

Size: 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm)

Materials: Polymer clay mosaic on MDF board with acrylic paste for grout

This mosaic picture of a poppy interprets the theme ‘To Boldly Go’ in terms of war. In the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, artificial poppies are worn on Remembrance Day or ANZAC Day, to commemorate those who bravely died in war. Poppies bloomed in between trench lines and ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Western Front, due to the extreme ground disturbance in warfare during World War 1. This is because the poppy is a coloniser, an annual plant that boldly goes forward, spreading itself by growing on disturbed ground.

Entry 2 - Candle Holder

Category: Functional containers

Size: Measures 4³/₄ inches (12 cm) in diameter x 3¹/₂ inches (9 cm) high

Materials: Polymer clay over glass candle holder

This candle holder interprets the theme ‘To Boldly Go’ in terms of adventurous exploration. The simple figure is bold, climbing up the side of the container, not knowing what may be inside. As he peaks over the rim, there is a sense of danger, as he sees the flickering flame of the tea light candle within. Polymer retro canes cover the glass candle holder in a thin veneer, so the light within can shine through, where translucent colours have been used in the canes. The figure has been sculpted from white polymer and kept very simple so as not to detract from the pattern on the vessel.

Entry 3 - Beyond the Universe

Category: Wearable jewelry 

Size: Central disc measures 2¹/₄ inches (5.5 cm) in diameter

Materials: Polymer clay and Buna cord

This necklace interprets the theme ‘To Boldly Go’ in terms of space exploration. In Star Trek, the mission of the starship Enterprise was “to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before”. The dark navy blue round part of this necklace represents the universe. The round cane slices (bulls eye canes with a gold centre grading to pearl wrapped in a thin layer of dark navy blue) represent stars. The cut out hole is like a gateway to somewhere beyond, maybe another universe (?), through which the other end of the necklace passes. This end of the necklace, shaped like a tapered cone (made from the same gold/pearl Skinner Blend mix), is intended to represent a rocket/spaceship boldly going forward exploring the unknown.