Project Description

Since I began studying welding, I have been considering the creation of a statue for my personal showcase. My intention is to craft a piece that not only allows me to enhance my welding skills but also embodies something deeply meaningful to me. This statue, which was created during my first year of welding, has proven to be a valuable learning experience in the field. The figure it represents is Sun Wukong, a central character from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Content: The top 3 things I learned from this showcase were:

As part of the process, I first learned to construct a skeletal base for the statue, which required me to master the use of the plasma cutter in the welding lab. I then received guidance on how to build out the body of the statue and complete the MIG welding, which significantly accelerated the process compared to using Oxy-Fuel. Finally, I gained proficiency with a grinder to smooth out pieces and edges, ensuring a polished finish for the statue.

Culture: This project relates or connects to my family, background, peers, community or my own personal interests in these ways:

The Journey to the West, the 16th-century Chinese novel from which Sun Wukong is most well-known, explores themes of enlightenment and encompasses the major religions of the time, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. These traditions were also widely practiced in Thailand, where my grandmother was born. Sun Wukong’s influence extends beyond literature, having inspired modern characters such as Goku from Dragon Ball Z, which ultimately led me to discover both the story of The Journey to the West and the character of Sun Wukong.

I chose welding to create this statue not only because of my grandfather’s legacy as a welder, but also because welding offers durability, ensuring that the statue will endure far longer than if it had been made using other methods.

Metacognition: In reflection, one thing that I would have done differently during my journey with this showcase is:

One aspect I would approach differently is the planning phase. In hindsight, I would have thoroughly mapped out the entire structure before assembling the skeletal base. I rushed to put the pieces together as soon as I received them, which led to some mistakes during the process. Taking more time to plan ahead would have helped avoid these issues and resulted in a smoother execution.

Social/Emotional: One thing I am most proud of by completing this showcase is:

The accomplishment I am most proud of in this showcase is being invited to submit my statue for a state competition. While the competition has yet to take place, I am hopeful for a strong showing and aim to rank highly. Being selected to participate is already a significant achievement, and I look forward to the opportunity to present my work on a larger stage.

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