Gipspuss

Gipspuss is a term used in some craft contexts to describe a plaster sculpture in the form of a feline figure. The term is informal and not part of professional sculpture vocabulary; it is commonly used in DIY tutorials and classroom projects to illustrate plaster-craft techniques.

Etymology: The word Gipspuss combines Gips, the German word for plaster, with puss, an English colloquial term for a cat. The name thus reflects both the material and the intended subject.

Construction and finishing: Gipspuss projects typically use plaster-of-Paris or gypsum plaster, sometimes with a metal armature. The process often involves building a mold or armature, applying plaster in layers, allowing the piece to set, demolding, then sanding and finishing with primer and paint. Some practitioners sculpt directly in plaster without a mold, while others cast from a ready-made mold to reproduce multiple pieces.

Usage and context: Gipspuss is found mainly in educational settings and online craft communities as a beginner-friendly plaster sculpture project. It serves as an accessible entry point to basic sculpting, layering, and surface-finishing techniques. While it can vary in size and style, the core idea is a small plaster sculpture representing a cat-like figure.

History and documentation: The term Gipspuss does not have a well-documented historical origin in professional art literature and appears primarily in hobbyist and instructional contexts. As a result, it is best understood as a descriptive label within DIY glass, plaster, and sculpture projects rather than a defined art movement or recognized category.