44 Edition CEPA – Summerakademie 2025

Sculpture Workshop: Portrait in Clay

During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to sculpt a portrait of a live model, exploring the structure, proportions and expression of the face through clay. By sculpting a life-sized head, participants became familiar with fundamental sculpting principles such as observation, shaping volume, and capturing the model’s character in three dimensions. Particular attention was given to understanding the properties of the clay — its texture, moisture content, and malleability — as well as preparing the clay object for drying and firing in a ceramic kiln. The workshop provided a space in which to connect sculptural thinking with tactile experience.
Through touch, attention and patience, participants shaped not only a portrait, but also a deeper understanding of the human face and presence.