Making the mould

Layers of rubber solution are applied to the clay statue

The first layer of rubber is almost complete

Terry the mouldmaker finishing the first coat of rubber solution to the clay statue

 

After many layers of rubber have been applied, this is what the clay statue looks like.

and his arms have been removed...
These will be taken back to Wales where they will have rubber solution applied to them just like the main statue.

The clay statue now gets coated in many layers of fibreglass mat to protect and support the rubber mould.

the face of the viameter

Many visitors called in to see this fascinating process. This is the Mayor of Knaresborough, Councillor Pam Godsell, posing with the statue.

finally the fibreglass has gone hard and the mould can be cut off the clay statue.

This process will almost certainly destroy the clay statue, but the rubber mould is the important part now.

the fibreglass has been removed and the rubber is carefully peeled away from the clay

the legs are the last parts to have the fibreglass removed, you can see the torso mould on the floor

some of the moulds, ready for the next stage

breaking up the clay sculpture, the clay can be used again!