SCULPTING JOURNEY UNVEILED

"Sculpting opens up a whole new way of thinking about clay," Inge Abrahamsen reflects on her recent artistic journey. "It’s not just about shaping figures, but about understanding the material in a completely different way." Her eyes light up as she talks about how the experience has expanded her perspective on polymer clay.

Inge Abrahamsen, a Danish artist known for her delicate polymer clay creations, has been part of the clay community for several years. Her journey with polymer clay began in 1998 but truly flourished when she entered the community.

While jewelry-making has always been a prominent choice among artists in this field, Inge’s curiosity led her to explore a less common path, sculpting. Her path took a significant turn after attending Polymer Week 2024, where she participated in the sculpture class led by Caroline McFarlane-Watts, a renowned miniature sculptor and artist behind Tall Tales Productions.

Sculpting is still a relatively new addition to the polymer clay community, often overshadowed by jewelry-making. However, Polymer Week has been paving the way for this shift, including more sculpting classes in recent events. As interest grows, artists like Inge are proving that the process holds far more than just the final figure, it’s a gateway to honing fundamental skills like texture making, character building, and shaping the clay in unique ways.

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"I joined the class without knowing exactly what to expect," Inge admits. "But Caroline's way of teaching, explaining how to create characters from scratch, adding tiny details, and giving personality to each piece, completely captivated me." The immersive experience helped her realize that sculpting techniques could influence her entire artistic process, regardless of whether she would continue making sculptures or not.

Caroline McFarlane-Watts class focused on more than just the technical aspects. The emphasis on storytelling and character development sparked a new sense of creativity in Inge’s work.

Inge’s sculptures of Cixi and Frida Kahlo show how one creation inspires the next. The dress originally made for Cixi was reimagined for Frida, blending two powerful figures through artistic storytelling.

"It made me think differently about how I approach each project," she says. "Even in jewelry, the idea of building a narrative behind each piece has become so important to me now."

The class also offered a wealth of practical knowledge. Techniques like shaping fine details, creating textures, and manipulating clay to mimic natural materials have since found their way into Inge's creations. "There’s something meditative about sculpting," she says. "It teaches patience, observation, and how to see the possibilities in every lump of clay."

"My early works focused only on small painted details, like eyes and cheeks. After Pilsen, I embraced fuller painting, as seen in Barbra Streisand’s tweed cap," says Inge. Margaret Atwood’s scarf also gave her the perfect opportunity to use a technique she learned from Christine Dumont.

Inge's Instagram page, showcases her evolving work, highlighting how the sculpting process has influenced both her jewelry designs and character pieces. As the clay community begins to embrace sculpting as an integral part of artistic expression, stories like Inge’s remind us that trying something new can open unexpected doors. Taking a sculpting class doesn’t necessarily mean shifting completely to figurative art, it’s about learning techniques that can transform any creative process.

"I never thought sculpting would have such an impact on my work," Inge says. "It’s about exploring, experimenting, and letting the clay guide you. Whether you create characters or jewelry, the process itself holds so many hidden lessons," she says. With more sculpting classes becoming part of the Polymer Week experience, the future of polymer clay art is undoubtedly expanding, and artists like Inge are leading the way, one tiny character at a time.

Theodora (left) is based on a famous mosaic from Ravenna, while Katarina (right) is inspired by a Venetian painting.

Inge’s two latest creations use a bit of "reverse engineering" — taking inspiration from 2D paintings and translating them into 3D sculptures. Theodora is based on a famous mosaic from Ravenna, while Katarina is inspired by a Venetian painting.

Inge was fascinated by Katarina’s story — a Venetian woman who died in East China in 1342. Though little is known about her life, the discovery of her and her brother’s tombstones tells a powerful story of human movement across the world throughout history. For Katarina’s veil, Inge incorporated glass inclusions, creating a beautiful silky sheen that couldn't have been achieved with mica alone. Well done, Inge!