Holy Gargoyles! by John W. Healy

These mythic creatures make for a fun study in architecture history and spooky sculpture for Halloween

A beady-eyed chimera being painted by first grader Andrew, and his completed creepy creation.

The subject of gargoyles is engaging for children. Creating their own gargoyles is a journey to a place of fantasy and imagination. Ghosts, goblins, creatures of the night – this is the stuff for which our students have a limitless reserve of energy. What more appropriate time than Halloween to share with them the history of these functional – and sometimes fear-inspiring – architectural adornments and have them make gargoyles of their own?

Gargling chimeras
The term "gargoyle" is derived from the French gargouille, meaning throat or gullet. The stone sculptures originally served as decorative downspouts that diverted rain water away from the structures – usually cathedrals – to which they were attached. A "chimera" is a gargoyle made up of bits and pieces of different animals and whose features are combined in implausible ways. A "grotesque" is similar to a gargoyle but doesn't function in any other way except decoratively. Historically, gargoyles were composed of carved limestone; of late, poured concrete and other enduring composite materials are more common.

Ornamentation of buildings with wild, fictitious creatures dates back far before the 12th century. It was with the building of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, however, that the dramatic presentation of the gargoyle gave this subject its popular beginnings. The towering facades of Europe's cathedrals were a striking showcase for this unique art form.

In the context of religion, gargoyles symbolize demons beating a hasty retreat from a holy place. The theological message to the populace of the middle ages was that the world is overflowing with evil spirits; only upon the holy ground of the cathedral would they be safe.

A Gothic revival of the 19th century brought gargoyles and grotesques back to architecture as decorative elements for public and private buildings.

Bringing gargoyles to life

1. Prepare your students to create their own gargoyles by showing them pictures of multifaceted chimeras.

2. Gather reference material in the form of photographs and models of subjects that have been historically used for gargoyles. Some examples are:
   • Bird and bat wings
   • Barking and snarling dogs
   • Snakes and reptiles
   • Horned animals
   • Humans and primates making distorting facial expressions

3. Materials – The supplies needed for this project are simply:
   • Clay
   • Wire clay-cutting tool
   • Paint (optional)

Clay is the ideal material with which to create gargoyles. Air-dry or self-hardening clay is malleable, dries hard and is reusable. It does not require a kiln for hardening, making it ideal for most classrooms. Some types of air-dry clay can even be painted.

Encourage students to build their gargoyles with "platelets." These are small dabs of clay that are built up in successive layers, creating strength and form. Use a wire clay-cutting tool to scrape bits of clay. These are warmed and softened by working them between one's fingers.

Allow your students' creations to harden, after which they may be painted with any non-firing finish, such as opaque school paints, acrylics and more.

As the students admire one another's creepy creations, review their new vocabulary words – gargoyle, grotesque, chimera, gothic – as well those you may add through your own research on this fascinating subject.

Dr. John W. Healy teaches art at Woodland Middle School, East Meadow, NY.