The signature medium of renowned artist George Segal’s works was plaster bandages. He used them to wrap body parts and make casts. These were then reassembled to make the final figures in different poses.

Plaster bandages are mostly associated with shell or mother molds. This is the outer mold that houses the flexible alginate, silicone or latex mold. The primary purpose is to reinforce the mold and enable it to maintain its shape during the casting process.

At most, the plaster-infused bandages are used to make form molds – like of the abdomen for pregnancy casting or of the face for making masks.

But who would have thought that the same plaster bandages can actually becomesculptures by themselves? Before one laughs off the silly notion, check out George Segal’s iconic works to get an idea of what we are talking about!

A Dekko into Segal land!

George Segal was an American painter and sculptor associated with the pop art movement. He may have started his career as a painter, but it is his life-size cast figures that stand out in public memory till date.

The differentiating factor here is that these figures have been sculpted with plaster of Paris bandages. Indeed, the unconventional artist took the route of using orthopedic bandages dipped in plaster to make life size figures of his own body and of those of his friends, family, and neighbors.

The technique played out as follows – he used plaster gauze to wrap the model in sections. The hardened form was demolded from the body before being put back together using more plaster to form a hollow shell. The best part is that this shell did not serve as the mold, but became the final sculpture!

The initial casts were kept stark white in color. Later the artist moved to bright monochrome colors. The use of minimal color and detailing gave the figures a haunting and melancholic appearance. Later on, he even started casting the final form in bronze, but usually patinated them white to resemble the plaster finish!

The figures were mostly designed to form a tableau – people seated at lunch counters, poised on street corners, or waiting in train stations. These stark white sculptures can still be spotted in public spaces across the country, many of them even ‘at work’ ‘talking’ or ‘standing in line’!

The ins and outs

After this introduction to plaster gauze as a medium of art, those looking for quality materials can find everything they want at the one-stop art shop, EnvironMolds (https://www.artmolds.com/). The art supplier provides all the required materials, supplies, tools and equipment at the most reasonable prices. yet quality remains above par at all times.

What’s more, they are also more than willing to assist with the nitty gritty’s of mold making and casting. The website is choc-a-bloc with instructional materials and useful articles on varied subjects. They are also open to providing handy suggestions and assistance on a personal basis to those who approach them directly!