Clay. Plaster. Marble.

During 90’s I studied painting and sculpture at National Institute of Arts and Cultural Action (Institut National Supérieur des Arts et de l’Action Culturelle—INSAAC) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. In 1993, the Pallottines priests of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro asked me to create an unusual sculpture of St. Joseph. I made several sketches, then I used them to sculpt 30 cm clay model of St. Joseph teaching young Jesus the carpenter’s job. I molded the plaster cast from this clay model, which was sent to Rome, where somebody sculpted an enlarged copy of the scene in white marble. Until today this sculpture embellishes one of the chapels of the world’s largest basilica.

St. Joseph, Yamoussoukro sculpture
The sculpture of Saint Joseph: the clay model, the plaster molding and the final marble sculpture in one of the chapels of the Yamoussoukro basilica. Photo: BKD.

Tablet. Computer. Metal.

Nowadays the computer aided coin design is a process very similar to creation of a classic sculpture. Each project starts with a sketch, even if the graphite pencil is not used anymore. Every sketch and every 2D reverse or obverse final design I draw in Adobe Photoshop with my Wacom pen tablet. My drawings need to be precise for accurate 3D coin modeling. 3D models are used to manufacture minting tools.

My Trojan Horse coin design
My Trojan Horse coin design: the sketch / the final project / the photo of the coin.

To draw, to add details and to invent surprising iconography—in classic or modern way, there are my great designing moments. Thank you for visiting and taking time to explore my portfolio.

Beata Kulesza-Damaziak