sagaftra.org / SAG-AFTR A SPECIAL ISSUE 2022 / 44
It all begins with mother
molds, silica rubber and
plaster cases that are then
filled with melted wax.
After cooling, the wax
figures are freed and
artisans go to work
cleaning and fixing
imperfections. This
can include smoothing
wrinkles and removing
air bubbles on more than
1,000 figures.
Arms are then attached to
each figure, followed by
the hands shortly after. By
this time, each statuette is
now whole!
The figures are now
dipped in ceramic
material, which serves
as the beginning of the
secondary mold.
Then comes a wax slurry
that adds more ceramic
material to the statuette.
This weeklong process
is the most crucial, and
by its end, a total of eight
additional layers are
added.
The statuettes are then
placed into an oven that
helps to crystalize the
ceramic and brings it to
the temperature necessary
to add melted bronze
ingots to the mold.
Once cooled, the second
mold is broken with
any remaining pieces
sandblasted. Each
statuette is attached to its
base before being sent off
for awards night!
TODD
WAWRYCHUK
X6
