Joining materials — Art, 4–6
Paper, card, wool and natural objects can be joined to make something hold together. The way you join them affects what your artwork can do.
Materials can hold together
When you make an artwork from more than one thing, you need a way to join the parts. Glue sticks two surfaces together, thread links pieces with a path, and tape holds something for a while. The join is part of the making, not a secret extra step.
Why join things?
A loose leaf, a cardboard roof and a paper flag cannot become one model until they are connected. Artists solve this problem in different ways because materials have different surfaces and jobs. A light paper piece may need glue, while a hole in card may let a thread pass through.
Building a paper kite
Cut a diamond from card and two thin strips from paper. Put one strip across the diamond and glue only its ends, so it can stay raised. Glue the second strip from top to bottom, then tie wool at the bottom for a tail. If the paper bends, add a little tape to the back.
More glue is not always stronger
It is tempting to use a big blob of glue because a bigger amount seems to hold better. Usually it makes the paper wet, wrinkled and slow to dry, and the piece may slide away. A thin spread is often enough; press the parts together and give them time to dry.
Joining things outside art
People join materials when they wrap a parcel, sew a button, repair a book or build a shelter. They choose tape, thread, glue, knots or clips depending on what must hold and whether it may come apart. Your artwork is a small place to test these useful choices.
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