I thought for our unit on Sculpture this semester, instead of making another 40 hats, this time we would make GIANT FOOD!! Our theme for the Showcase Exhibition of student artwork, we have at school every year, has a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme, and what’s more appropriate than GIANT food? (well, I thought it would be fun anyway!)
And it is proving to be LOTS of fun! After our initial difficulties with making our structures, and some icy poles which had to be reduced in size (yes, I did say GIANT, but it really was ridiculous), we are well on our way to making the tastiest sculptures ever!
In case you’re wondering, the cylinder on the right in the above picture is a GIANT Sushi roll.
And last but not least, the giant wedding cake (which actually, is fairly true to scale of some cakes). One of my best friends is getting married next year – perhaps I’ll suggest she have a papier mache wedding cake as opposed to the boring old sponge!
As always, I’ll keep you up to date on the progress of these enormous culinary delights!
this is awesome! do you mind sharing with us how do you make your papier mache mix? thanks so much 🙂
The Papier Mache mix comes in Powder form and is mixed with water to a thick consistency. We buy it from our art suppliers.
I’ve heard of other people using PVA glue with water and I used to use flour and water as a child.
Although, I think both the PVA and flour ideas are a waste of resources. The mix is made especially for Papier mache, so I like to use that.
thanks for emailing me adelle my art is to share , l wish to work to other artist from other country outside south africa. adelle you art inspired me a lot. thereof feel free to email me.
thanks
I love your students sculptures. I did this with High school age kids but now I am teaching elementary k-5. I was wondering what age/grade kids did these? We had fun making giant packs of gum, pizza that was made of cloth,(someone had donated yards and yards of thin cotton cloth strips so we used that instead of paper to speed up the process)Hambergers, candy bars and lots of other things. Thanks for sharing. Parker/Columbus Georgia-USA
What is the brown paper that you’re using on the cake and the hats?
Just plain brown wrapping paper
Hi Adelle,
My name is Eliza and i’m in year 12 this year.
For my major work i am exploring the concept of mass production with foods and taking an ordinary/ everyday object and changing its context. I was just wondering if you could give me any tips?
So far i have made giant donuts, pancakes and other smaller items out of clay ect.. but paper mache is the cheapest and is fun to work with.
I could use all the help in the world !
thanks eliza
How many layers of papier-mâché do you use? I’ve been having trouble with achieving a sturdy layer with layers that don’t separate. I use the packaged powder you suggested and mix according to directions. I also use non-printed newsprint. I get the end rolls from a friend who works at my local newspaper. Thanks for your help.
I tell my students to do at least 3 layers. The ones that do work out quite well. Some kids get lazy and they have trouble when theirs dries.
Love this project. What did you use for the base form on the apple core?
I don’t even see an apple core which is what brought me here to begin with!
I had a couple of posts on this project.
Here’s the one with the apple core.
https://www.adelle.com.au/giant-food-sculptures/