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How to Make a Sculpture of Teeth

Postmodern and contemporary artists often use nontraditional mediums to create artwork. One British artist is collaborating with a stem cell scientist to create a sculpture in 2011 using human teeth, according to "Wired." The project, called "PALACES," will be made of baby teeth donated from British children and it will be exhibited at the Science Museum of Liverpool. The artwork will focus on the fact that stem cells can be harvested from milk teeth that fall out of children's mouths. To make your own sculpture of teeth, create the work with easy-to-use air-dry clay.

Things You'll Need

  • Sketchpad
  • Pencil
  • Air-dry clay
  • Wooden board
  • Clay tools
  • Teeth
  • Water sprayer
  • Sponge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a preliminary sketch for your sculpture with a sketchpad and pencil. It is best to map out your plans before you start the sculpture. Be sure you know how the sculpture will look from all angles since it will be a three-dimensional art piece.

    • 2

      Build up the base of your sculpture with air-dry clay on top of a wooden board. The wooden board should be slightly larger than the width of your proposed sculpture. Air-dry clay dries hard and does not need to be fired in a kiln. It is easy to use and found at all craft and art stores. It is nontoxic and comes in a white or terra cotta color.

    • 3

      Add more clay to your sculpture. You can subtract clay with tools from a clay tool kit, which is found at any art or craft store. Step back every once in a while to look at your overall sculpture to be sure you are satisfied with its progress.

    • 4

      Insert the teeth into the clay wherever you desire. Smooth the teeth in with more clay. If the clay becomes too dry, spray water on it. Add teeth everywhere you want on the sculpture. You can collect your children's baby teeth or ask a dentist for teeth. Consider using animal teeth too. Shark's teeth can be found on certain beaches, especially in Florida.

    • 5

      Turn your sculpture around to check that it works from all angles. Carve out any clay or teeth you do not want. Smooth any surfaces with a damp sponge. Let it dry to complete it. It may take 48 hours, depending on the size.

Sculpture

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