IA3 PHASE 3ART AS ALTERNATE Isabelle K
Focus from inquiry phase 1 My investigation is in response to my experience at Hemmant Quarry, in which I considered my reactions to this place and how I later processed these through art. While in this space, I subconsciously focused on the beauty and aesthetic of the natural environment, as well as that of the neighbouring cemetery. My experiments in response to the stimulus, which were primarily drawings of items or spaces that I found pleasing, allowed me to come to this realisation. This prompted me to consider how art can aid in self-discovery through processing subconscious emotions. Two artists that have been influential in my investigation are Joseph Cornell and Glen Skien. Both artists explore a range of concepts in a personal context, such as nostalgia and memory.
Annotated resolved work from inquiry phase 2 Developing:
The personal context of my inquiry has been influenced by my interest in psychology and dreams. My depictions of landscapes hint at surrealism, reflecting the juxtaposing nature of dreams. I have employed imagery from my own dreams, such as rocks and water, which appear as symbols of anxiety and apprehension in my dreams. My focus on unconscious emotions in dreams is communicated by the door imagery, which represents the insight that dreams provide into the unconscious.
Researching:
My focus was influenced by psychological theory, particularly from Lois Tyson. Jeremy Miranda’s exploration of reality and memory significantly contributed to my central focus, particularly his use of natural and man-made imagery. This is enhanced by Joshua Flint’s creation of visual contradictions in his paintings, which produces a dream-like aesthetic.
Reflecting:
I have depicted rocks in all three artworks, conveying the anxiety consistently underpinning my dreams. The doors, superficially symbolising the insightful nature of dreams, also serve as visual metaphors for my dreams. The gushing waterfall represents the overwhelming anxiety in my dreams, whilst the bright light shining through another doorway symbolises how I often dream about experiences I fear I will never have. Some dreams are unconsciously repressed, as conveyed by the closed door.
Artist statement
Throughout Art as Alternative, I have explored divergent ways of thinking and making. The experiments I have created stemmed from research on numerous artists such as Elizabeth Willing, Julie Fragar and Rachel Newling. I have experimented with a variety of mediums, including paint on gladwrap, collage, pen and ink, and lino printing. The latter is the primary focus of my body of work, as it aids in communicating my intended meaning. I have chosen to depict floral elements in my lino prints and will further extend this by incorporating flora and possibly fauna into self-portraits. I aim to explore flower imagery as a symbol of femininity, and how the traditional perception of femininity limits women’s potential. I intend on subverting the connotations associated with flowers, such as purity and beauty, to highlight how the attribution of these qualities to women is detrimental to their role within society.
• I created this collage in response to the work of Julie Fragar and Elizabeth Willing. Although I was primarily influenced by Fragar's work, both artists have experimented with collage. • I collected a variety of images and text taken from old books of mine, newspapers, and personal photographs. I subtly explored my connection to my home and the surrounding environment, which reflects Fragar's focus on a personal context within her work. • Fragar's work is often jarring and full of vivid, clashing pictures. While I didn't quite achieve this effect, I drew inspiration from her work by employing seemingly random imagery without a consistent colour scheme. • Julie Fragar incorporates painting into her collage work, which I mirrored in this experiment. I used white paint to obscure parts of the collage, such as the face of the girl, while also emphasising her form by painting a white border.