What is acrylic? How is an acrylic sculpture made?
The technical term for acrylic is methylmethacrylate. It is the same material that is used to make eyeglass lenses, which is clearer and weighs less than glass. An acrylic sculpture is cast by pouring liquid acrylic into a mold of the original artwork, where it sets to a stiff gelatin-like consistency. It is then placed into an autoclave and cured under heat and pressure. This step in the casting process gives acrylic its clarity and hardness. The cast sculpture is then removed from the mold and hand finished, using files, grinders and sandpaper. The clear smooth surfaces are polished with jeweler’s rouge and buffing wheels. Additional effects are added, such as blasting the surface with glass powder to create the frosted look on the human figures.
