Greg Robinson Status Report - IPKA 2022 Fellow
Greg A. Robinson IPKA Fellowship Status Report - November 2022
Having accumulated the necessary materials to produce the UHPC I settled on a power
figure design, waited for a weather window, and proceeded to produce the figure in a
carvable concrete.
Using plywood as a backboard, I set 2x6’s to form the basic shape of the figure. I mixed
and poured 4 successive layers of black tinted back layers in the UHPC mix, reinforced
with glass fibers, over a number of days. This comprised just under half the thickness of
the total 6” depth. I added a board on the hood section to pour one final thickness of
black tinted uhpc.
After a couple of days of curing, I added rebar in 4 ft. lengths to aid in future installation.
They protrude from the bottom 2 ft. with the intent it will be set into a concrete base in
the future. I also added a scrim of fiberglass as reinforcement over the entirety of the
main body.
I mixed three successive batches of red tinted uhpc to bring the sculpture to full depth. I
then added some additional colorant on the surface for effect. As the head of the figure
sits on top of the black hood area, I used a foam cut out in the shape of the head to hold
the red cement in place until it set sufficiently to hold its form. I removed the foam. As
the cement began to firm, I began the layout of the design, working from a center
masterline, just as would be done in wood. After several hours the cement was workable
and I was able to start carving away recesses on the figure. The cool weather was a
benefit in slowing the set, allowing me time to carve and smooth.
I covered the figure with a tarp for two days, then removed the form boards. There are a
few edge voids that I will fill, but otherwise all went as planned. As of the writing of this
report I am in the grinding smoothing stage of the process using a stone polishing tool
with diamond wheels. I plan to add some star elements to the black background area
around the head. I may also add some additional color via concrete stain for effect.
I consider the power figure phase a success, and learned some things to make it easier
in the future. It is extremely dense and durable, vandal resistant, weather proof and
could easily last hundreds of years. Little or no maintenance would be required other
than perhaps a cleaning on occasion.
Next, I plan to start in Dec. a hand formed sculpture on a smaller scale, much like clay
sculpture is done in preparation for bronze casting. I have researched formulas that
mimic the texture of clay, and am excited at the potential to produce sculptures that
blend the traditional forms of my carvings with the abstract nature of my paintings.
These would mostly be smaller pieces designed for gallery sales and interior public art
installations.
A third aspect I will explore is the production of tile like panels in uhpc/gfr concrete
formulations in various sizes for flat wall installations in public art .
In summary, this material can be added to cedar, stone, glass and metal as a viable
alternative in public art. It is readily available at a time when old growth red cedar is
becoming scarce and metal becoming cost prohibitive and at times difficult to get. In
addition, I find the ability to maintain an ‘artist produced’, hands-on aspect to be very
important, personally, when producing native art for public art placement.