William Lee
Internal Strain
Prompt: This assignment was to design a form to be cast in plaster which, although relatively small in size, conveys the monumental qualities of a large massive structure and the surface of which addresses a cultural subject. Develop this form through research, sketching and plan/oblique drawings. Create a mold using foam core and other materials, and cast it in plaster.
This piece explores the reconstruction of an architectural form that emphasizes the relationship between structure and interior space. My creative intention was to reveal what is typically hidden beneath finished surfaces by exposing foundational elements. The use of plaster and wire is central to the meaning of the work, referencing concrete and steel reinforcement bars that support buildings yet remain unseen. By making these structural components visible, the piece draws attention to the tension between containment and exposure, as well as stability and vulnerability. The process involved studying architectural frameworks and translating them into a simplified sculptural form. This approach allowed me to focus on material contrast, spatial compression, and the visual weight of internal forces within a confined structure.