“Big Top” is a continuous circus train carved entirely within the graphite core of a pencil, developed as a fully resolved sculptural composition rather than a demonstration of scale. Each car is individually defined and structurally dependent on the integrity of the surrounding graphite, with both sides of the pencil carved to complete the narrative.
This work represents one of the most technically sustained graphite carvings completed in Cindy’s practice to date.
The work required sustained precision across the full length of the lead, where material removal is irreversible and structural failure is immediate. While the subject references the spectacle of a traveling circus, the approach is methodical and architectural, balancing fine detail with long-span stability. The result is a singular object that combines narrative complexity, technical control, and material vulnerability within a deliberately limited format.
Graphite is inherently unstable at this scale. Its density and brittleness allow for crisp detail, but offer no forgiveness once carved. In this work, structural continuity becomes as important as visual detail. The negative space between train cars, the tension of the couplings, and the unsupported spans along the length of the pencil required a deliberate sequencing of cuts and an understanding of load distribution within the material itself. Nothing is reinforced, repaired, or reassembled. The sculpture exists entirely within the original graphite core.
As part of Cindy Chinn’s larger practice of micro-sculpture, “Big Top” represents an expansion of both duration and complexity within the medium. Unlike isolated figurative carvings, this piece sustains a narrative across the entire length of the lead, requiring continuity of focus and structural consistency from end to end. It stands as one of her most comprehensive graphite works to date, reflecting a mature integration of scale, narrative restraint, and technical discipline.
Specifications
- Medium: Carved graphite core within a commercial wooden pencil
- Orientation: Fully carved on both sides
- Structure: Single continuous graphite core, no added materials
- Presentation: Custom display case with magnifying glass
- Status: Unique work, no edition
Completed 2024
Created over an extended period of concentrated studio work.