Jesmonite Sculpture
What is Jesmonite?
Jesmonite is a modern composite material widely used in contemporary sculpture and architectural decoration. It is made from a gypsum-based mineral combined with an acrylic resin to create a strong, durable casting material. In fine art sculpture, Jesmonite is valued for its ability to capture extremely fine surface detail from a mould, making it ideal for reproducing the subtle textures and modelling marks of the original clay sculpture. Because it is water-based and solvent-free, Jesmonite is also considered a more environmentally friendly material compared to many traditional casting processes.
Why does Marie Smith use Jesmonite for sculpture?
Irish sculptor Marie Smith creates Jesmonite sculptures as part of her contemporary figurative sculpture practice. After modelling a sculpture in clay or wax, a silicone mould is made from the original work. Jesmonite can then be cast into this mould, accurately reproducing the finest details of the sculpted surface. The material is strong and versatile and can be coloured with pigments or finished to resemble stone, bronze or other natural materials. Jesmonite sculpture offers collectors an accessible way to acquire contemporary sculpture while retaining the tactile quality and detail of the original artwork.
Jesmonite as an alternative to bronze sculpture
Jesmonite is often used as an alternative to bronze casting, which is significantly more expensive due to the complex foundry processes involved. By producing a sculpture in Jesmonite, Marie Smith can present the finished work while using the same mould that would later be used for a bronze casting. This allows collectors and clients to see the finished artwork and commission a bronze edition of the sculpture at a later stage if desired. All Jesmonite sculptures created by Marie Smith are therefore also available as cast bronze sculptures, offering flexibility for collectors, galleries and public art commissions.
