05/31/2026
EYHS ART STUDENT OF THE MONTH: KEILANI DIAZ
EYHS Senior, Keilani Diaz, had a BIG IDEA. During our subtractive sculpture unit, Keilani decided to create a massive sculpture of a crocodile. Subtractive sculpture involves carving or removing material from a single mass to reveal a sculpture, similar to how Michelangelo carved his figures from a solid block of marble.
She wanted her sculpture to be larger than any of the typical molds that liquid plaster is usually poured into for a carved project. Keilani decided that a wash basin tub would produce a plaster block large enough to house her crocodile subject matter in a coiled position. After the block was poured and the plaster had set, reality also set in, and the hard work began. She began using a mallet and chisel to remove large chunks to rough out the form. Sometimes Keilani would take a break from that and work on detailing the face and mouth. Eventually, over the course of three weeks, Keilani brought the crocodile form out of the block. Simultaneously, she created ceramic sculptures of two Egyptian Plover birds, a species that has an almost symbiotic relationship with crocodiles by picking bugs, insects, and even cleaning the teeth of the large reptiles.
The sculpture was not fully finished at the time of the art show, so it was decided to be exhibited among the tools, materials, and even the debris mess that is part of the subtractive process to show it in progress. If you were able to visit the art show, you surely saw this sculpture commanding attention on its display table. Not only did Keilani work meticulously to achieve the general form of the crocodile, but she also strived to mimic the textures with scales, ridges, and bumps all over the surface of her sculpture. To celebrate Keilani bringing this big idea to life and persevering through a difficult process, she is recognized as the EYHS Artist of the Month for May. Congratulations, Keilani!
Eastern York High School
