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PRIMARY RESOURCE
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SYMBOLS ARE THE IMAGINATIVE SIGNPOSTS OF LIFE. MARGOT ASQUITH
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Okay. Let's approach this contextually and start with a big question: Why study ancient Egypt? This is a fair question because it certainly wasn't the only ancient civilisation. Plus, it was a very long time ago. So, how might studying ancient Egypt help you, or us, or others in our present-day world? Well, ancient Egypt is often referred to as one of the earliest civilisations. This is also debatable, but it is certainly an early example of a very large collection of humans settling and growing in one region; building homes, developing farming and agriculture, and establishing shared beliefs - and culture - together. The video to the right gives a sense of this evolution from hunter-gather and nomadic culture to early civilisations and, consequently, present day life. |
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Although not the only ancient civilisation to do so, ancient Egypt does provide a rich example of how humankind has developed a complex culture through the creation and sharing of religious beliefs, stories and histories, laws, language and art. The video to the left provides insights into some of the art and architecture that was created in Ancient Egypt. This includes drawing, painting and sculpture - including relief sculpture, which is something we will explore further here, hence the title of this resource. |
IN PICTURES - ANCIENT EGYPT: WHAT A RELIEF!
There are three basic types of relief sculpture, shown above: 1. Sunken relief carving, which is found almost exclusively in ancient Egyptian art; 2. Low relief (or bas-relief), where the sculpture projects only slightly from the background surface; 3. High relief, where the sculpture projects at least half or more of its natural circumference from the background.
Consider the following insights:
Consider the following insights:
- Relief sculptures created in ancient Egypt were mainly produced to decorate tombs for the wealthy and powerful. They were not made to be seen by many people, and certainly not for art galleries.
- The afterlife - that is, life after death - was an ancient Egyptian obsession. The powerful and wealthy ordered artworks to be made to decorate their tombs and those of their loved ones, as a means of demonstrating their wealth and worthiness for the afterworld.
- Artists worked under strict codes for creating art (such as depictions of humans or Gods, or the arrangement of hieroglyphs) - because the wealthy and powerful did not want to be misrepresented. Art made within these 'rules' for depicting the human figure is sometimes referred to as Frontalism. Artists would have been considered as skilled tradespeople rather than independent or expressive thinkers who could do what they wished.
- Many of the ancient Egyptian relief sculptures show hieroglyphs - a formal writing system used in Ancient Egypt. this was an early alphabet of sorts, using shapes and images.
- Ancient Egyptian relief sculptures were created from and within a wide range of natural materials, including stone, wood and clay, but also using imported materials such as ivory.
Present day, there are numerous materials with which you might make a relief artwork, for example: cardboard, linoleum, plaster, polystyrene, plasticine, wood, stone, clay, or marble.
How do the physical properties of these materials compare and vary? Which would have been the most accessible in ancient times? Which would be the easiest or hardest to work with - and why do you think this?
How do the physical properties of these materials compare and vary? Which would have been the most accessible in ancient times? Which would be the easiest or hardest to work with - and why do you think this?
ACTIVITY - CLAY: RESISTANCES AND AFFORDANCES
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Whilst the world we live in has changed dramatically since the days of ancient Egypt, the physical properties of raw materials - such as clay - have stayed the same. Prior to the activity below (making a relief tile), let's spend some time appreciating and exploring this natural wonder. Clay is a natural soil material that develops plasticity when wet, but become hard, brittle and non–plastic when dried or baked (fired). Prehistoric humans discovered the useful properties of clay and used it for making pottery. It is still used in many modern industrial processes, and two-thirds of the world's population still live or work in buildings made with clay, often baked into brick. For many artists and craftspeople, clay remains a magical material full of possibilities. To enjoy, appreciate and investigate its potential, complete the following challenges photographed here and listed below:
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Create a relief tile - an artwork/design with a raised surface. This could be done by using cardboard or clay. A cardboard base tile can be layered (raised) up by using glue and additional cardboard shapes - flat and/or corrugated, cut or torn. Materials such as thick string or rolled tissue paper, shaped and coated with PVA glue can also be effective.
Now, look at the sequence of images below to see how a relief clay tile might be developed. To begin, as above, it might be helpful (and enjoyable) to become familiar with how the clay feels and responds to being manipulated, warmed by your hands and moistened with water. Then, roll out a reasonably thick (at least 1cm) clay 'tile'. A design can be sketched upon this prior to carving out selected sections with a ribbon tool - but make sure you do not go to deep! One of the examples below, by Millie, retains a border to define the carved edges. Image 5 also shows how, prior to adding additional clay, the surface is scored (scratched/hatched to create a texture) and wetted to help to bind an additional layer.
Now, look at the sequence of images below to see how a relief clay tile might be developed. To begin, as above, it might be helpful (and enjoyable) to become familiar with how the clay feels and responds to being manipulated, warmed by your hands and moistened with water. Then, roll out a reasonably thick (at least 1cm) clay 'tile'. A design can be sketched upon this prior to carving out selected sections with a ribbon tool - but make sure you do not go to deep! One of the examples below, by Millie, retains a border to define the carved edges. Image 5 also shows how, prior to adding additional clay, the surface is scored (scratched/hatched to create a texture) and wetted to help to bind an additional layer.
Example by Millie Gifford
Example by Jenny Wyatt
Inspired by ancient Egyptian artworks and interests, here are a few potential starting points or themes for your clay tile:
- Combine a letter - an initial from your name, perhaps - with a shape or symbol that represents you or your interests. (See the next section for more insights on symbols).
- Use this online translator to convert your initials, or a favourite letter or number into hieroglyphics. (Note: It's not entirely accurate: hieroglyphics don't simply convert to our alphabet letters. But it is fun!).
- Divide your tile into 4 sections and design a simple sequence, such as a sun rising, or a pyramid being constructed in stages. Or, if you want to try something more detailed, complicated or troublesome - and perhaps less stereotypical, but still inspired by ancient Egyptian histories - how about a heart being weighed; or an ancient artefact being stolen by colonialists.
- Work in a group to design a collection of tiles that, when placed together, creates a narrative sequence or collective pattern or design.
IN PICTURES - ANCIENT EGYPT: It's A SIGN!
Look at the symbols below which reoccur in many ancient Egyptian carvings, paintings and sculptures.
- What do you think these are/are for/might represent?
- Are these types of writing or drawing, both, or something else?
- If you were to doodle upon or around these, what would you do? Could you help them become something else, more or less obvious?
- Would it be okay to adjust or adapt these if we do not know what they might mean or represent, or how or why they were used?
- Is it possible for lines and shapes - or symbols - to be dangerous?
Although these images above are simple lines and shapes, simple lines and shapes have the potential to be very powerful. Remember: the words you are reading are made up of simple lines and shapes as, for example, are most signs, logos and graphics. All lines and shapes have the potential to do something, or mean something to someone, depending on perceptions, contexts and understandings. Even a quick scribble might remind you of something (a child's drawing, a bird's nest, a ball of wool ...) whilst for someone else it might suggest something quite different (an explosion, a mistake, a storm cloud ...). Lines and shapes should not be underestimated as signs and symbols. They can enrich, control, influence and shape our days.
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The meanings of the signs above are not fully known, but here's some informed opinions:
The Ankh is an Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for "life" or "breath of life". As the Egyptians believed that one's earthly journey was only part of an eternal life, the ankh symbolizes both mortal existence and the afterlife. It is possibly the origin of the Christian use of the cross as a symbol of faith today. The Djed is an ancient Egyptian symbol for stability and permanence. It may have evolved from the practice of decorating a pillar to resemble a tree and draping it with icons representing fertility and abundant harvest. The Was sceptre is a symbol that appeared often in relics, art, and hieroglyphs associated with the ancient Egyptian religion. It appears as a stylised animal head at the top of a long, straight staff with a forked end. |
So, the symbols above are not letter shapes or recognisable pictures (at least to us, now). But they do (or did) function as a means of abstract and visual communication through representing, reminding and/or meaning something via shared understanding and agreement.
- Create your own abstract symbol - lines, marks and shapes that are not easily (or at all) recognisable but do, once explained, mean something to you.
- Consider how your symbol might be converted into a sign, perhaps via cardboard or clay relief, and placed somewhere for others to encounter. How might your symbol say something about you and/or the world around you?
- How might your symbol be a powerful sign for action, hope, or change, or for something else important to you?
IN Pictures - ANCIENT EGYPT: MAKING CONNECTIONS
In this section, let's take a few moments to think about how the influence of ancient Egyptian art and culture might be discovered in our lives today. There are many potential answers to this, from the influences on writing, religion, architecture and art. However, sometimes as an artist (or art teacher!), it's interesting to research and read widely and see what connections you might make. Here are a few examples of this approach. Click on the links provided to find out more.
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French artist, JR, created this contemporary sculpture using photography, placed in front of a pyramid. When viewed from a planned perspective it becomes an optical illusion. When photographed it becomes a collage. It's not exactly a relief sculpture, but it seems to also work in layers. |
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Having looked at art by ancient Egyptians it seems only fair to look at artworks by more recent Egyptian artists. Gasbia Sirry (left) created these wonderful earthy and expressive figures which seem influenced but also quite different to ancient figurative paintings. Khaled Hafez creates rich and layered works combining photography and painting which appear to play with Egyptian god-like figures and present-day movie super heroes. |
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When Han Solo was frozen in Carbonite in the Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, he appears like a relief sculpture. Perhaps this could also be compared to mummification - the means with which ancient Egyptians set out to preserve their dead. Many stories, comic books and films have taken inspiration from ancient Egyptian histories and artworks, not least, Marvel who have taken inspiration from the Ennead Gods of Egypt. |
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- What connections to ancient Egypt can you make or discover? How might you be imaginative in reading wider around some of the themes and insights available on this resource, and how might you record or share your discoveries?