Out and about

I've been out of the studio for a while, what with GIS weeks and stuff, so I've used the time to get some more primary research done.

I went to the Titanic exhibition at the O2, although I didn't go for this project but more personal interest, I do think it is interesting in relation to 'antique, artefact or junk?' The exhibition had objects in it that have been under water for over 80 years, some of them still very much intact. Many of these items were very personal, such as jewellery, photographs and letters. What was most interesting was the story that the items told, you could read first hard accounts of the disaster from survivors, and learn a little about those who died. I did some sketches of the objects and people in the gallery, which I will try to scan and get on here soon.

I was in Barcelona this weekend, whilst I was there I visited a few gallerys, but the most interesting was the Museu d'Art Contemporani. Although the work in there was really inspirational (especially the work of Richard Hamilton, Pablo Palazuelo and Nigel Henderson) I was really interested in the building itself. half of it is glass, it is really unusual to be able to look out of a window in a gallery. It was very odd being able to see people walking around the exhibition appreciating the work and to see the homeless on the street outside at the same time. It made me question the idea of interior and exterior, the privileged and the disadvantaged, the gallery and the street. I took photos and sketched the scene as I thought it would make an interesting subject for a print.

Richard Hamilton, Interior with monochromes.

Pablo Palazuelo

Nigel Henderson, Plant Delta

LINO LIFE

This week I worked with lino prints, making an image of me and my niece to represent 'my bedroom'.

I have put a print in a warm colour next to one in a cool colour to create a contrast, I feel this would be more effective if i had used different prints.

 I've decided to look into photographs in my project as they relate to all three areas

The V&A- have many photography exhibitions.
The street- disregarded newspapers, flyers, posters etc.
My room- the walls are covered in photographs of family/friends

Dry point

In last weeks session I experimented with dry point etchings. Here are two taken from images I had drawn whilst at the V&A. They really show how you can get drastically different images from the same plate just by playing around with the wiping techniques. 

I then made a few dry point prints form this old photo of my dad, it's my favourite picture of him and is (along with other family photos) next to my bed. I prefer the image in these prints but feel they are less succesful than the V&A ones.

Junk- shop heaven!

I've was away in Brighton earlier this week and came across the most amazing junk/ antique shop. It was an absolute gold mine, I could of spent hours looking through all the boxes of old photos and post cards. It's a very odd feeling seeing so many peoples memories in one box. Something that once had value and meaning to someone, just disregarded.

Whilst I was there I came across this beauty!

It's a portable screen for screen printing, it came in a lovely wooden suitcase. The tag described it as the first photocopier, if only I had the £85 to take it home with me!

PRINT ISN'T DEAD!

After Leo's lecture I began thinking about the use of print in a modern context, and in modern Illustration. Here are some examples of my favourite Illustrators using print successfully today.

Jonny Hannah -  Rocket man recites No. 4
Silkscreen print.

Harry Brockway-  The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Woodcut print.

NoBrow ( collective) - Topsy Turvy
ScreenPrint

Audrey Niffenegger - Frontispiece and Haunted 

Aquatint, watercolour.

One man's rubbish is another man's treasure

Tim Webster and Sue Noble.

Dirty White Trash (with gulls) 1998

Dark Stuff 2008

Tim Webester's and Sue Noble's work blurs the line between waste and value, is this art or Rubbish?

IT'S BLOODY GOOD ART!

Lino Prints

Here are a few simple lino prints based around the street. I saw a poster for a futurist exhibition in the print studio which inspired me to experimented with different view points. This print includes railing in the right hand corner, street lights, and a bus stop. I was trying to portray the idea of a difference of opinion and perspective in relation to the project brief. I really liked the simplicity of the lino cut, however I feel that I need to focus more on the shadows in the image.

Antique, Artefact or junk?

I've been thinking about this brief a lot, and what appeals to me most about it is the opportunity to see what value people place on the objects they own. I'm a self confessed hoarder and keep everything from train tickets to jam jars, but other would disregard these items without a thought. I have also been thinking about the 3 different areas I have been asked to look at;

• The V&A- High cultural status, high class, of great value, universally recognised, clean and tidy, respected, quite, reserved, historical (the objects have a past, tell a story)
• My bedroom- Personal, messy, individually respected, of value (but only to me), objects tell a story, worn and overused, warm and inviting, crude/rude (symbolism of sexuality), I sleep in more than one place( uni and home).
• The Roadside- Disregarded, overlooked, dirty, not respected, shows a journey (flip book?), could be an important journey (emotion), routine, rubbish, lost items, street art, free expression, neglected or maintained.