Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Jessica Wilkinson
Final Project – Final Piece Epiphany These four images that emphasised the central theme of epiphany, collected together created the foundation of my final image. [seen in Research & Development document] The elements of these that most appealed to me are the skills I used to create a textured surface that symbolises the web of neurons, the gold leaf that represents the clarity of epiphany and the electrical charge between the neurons themselves. Hopefully, this combination shall successfully portray the core of my findings.
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Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
FINAL PIECE – ANGLE 1
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Jessica Wilkinson
Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
FINAL PIECE – ANGLE FINAL PIECE – ANGLE 3 FINAL PIECE – ANGLE 4
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Jessica Wilkinson
Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Jessica Wilkinson
Final Evaluation My final piece for this project, used Mixed Media skills I have developed, whilst interpreting the subject matter of epiphany. My most effective technique was the use of non-traditional materials that provided a rough texture, it makes the work look different from every angle. Above are several photos to illustrate how the light effects the canvas from various viewpoints. As the images I am creating depict the brains thought process during an epiphany, I had researched the neuroscience behind the thought process. I observed images of cells on a molecular level and read extensively on theories behind the problem solving function of the brain (which has been proven by psychologists to be the hub of an epiphany) [Page 8/9]. From these findings, I twisted what I felt an epiphany would look like in the brain. The work seems abstract because of the composition, but it is actually a realistic representation of the thought process in the brain. The Gold Leaf acts as a symbol for the epiphany, indicating the grand electrical signals firing between the synapses. On the canvas, I applied non-traditional materials (foil, textiles, cardboard and newspaper) to build on the ground. The white gesso used as a primer covered the ground and had dried before I commenced painting. The foil and textile material naturally create spontaneous and energetic designs.. At first, I daubed black ink over the more complex textures. I began to paint from the edge of the ink, starting with the deepest colour blue I could summon and then gradually lightened the colour. The initial attempt, I had lightened the pthalo acrylic too much, and then had to repeat the process; daubing over with a deeper colour of blue. These layers evolved pretty rapidly, but the foreground took a very long time as it is so detailed. Colour is imperative for this project, as colour is linked to mood, vibrancy and energy. I carefully considered which to choose during my development process. Working with acrylic meant that my supply of paints consisted of two shades of each primary colour. Beforehand, when trialing watercolour, I had produced a colour chart to provide myself a visual stimulus [page42]. Whereas red based colour delivered an aggressive atmosphere and canary or lemon yellow colour offered a bright alternative; it was the shades of blue I felt aligned to the context of the conscious. Pthalo blue (acrylic) was the deepest and thickest blue I could find to convey my idea. By the perimeter of the canvas, I purchased a lighter blue to create variance in the colour, also as the gradual darkening of pthalo blue provided a powerful focal point in the center.
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Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Jessica Wilkinson
As the colour of the background is so deep, I wanted a bright colour so you could observe the interest. Consequently, I executed a mixture of scraping white acrylic over the creases of the outer perimeter of the work and as I got closer to the center, I drew the patterns in glossy silver ink. The recurrent patterns progress, becoming increasing more complex until reaching the Gold Leaf which is meant to represent the core of the epiphany. The patterns on the left hand side of the gold leaf represent how the left side of the frontal lobe solves problems for us and draws solutions from our subconscious to our conscious. Up close, this is a marvelous effect, as you can see the complexity of the neurons and stretching axons. Although, I had practiced this frequently on A3 in my sketchbook, I hadn’t performed this exercise on a larger size. I was excited to see the effect of the piece on mass, but ascertained there was not as much clarity as before in the smaller pieces.. Perhaps, I should have made the lines thicker, or created more contrast of the colour, as from the furthest perspective, the web of lines blur into the background. The work was made on a larger canvas than my original developments, so I could emphasize the mass of gold leaf. There are no distinct shapes in the image, as it the line that is the most detailed. A mixture of scraping white acrylic over the lines of the outer ring of blue and as I got closer to the center, I drew the patterns in silver ink. These patterns progress, becoming more and more complex until reaching the Gold Leaf which is meant to represent the core of the epiphany. Up close, this is a marvelous effect, as you can see the complexity of the brain patterns. I was excited to see the effect of the piece on mass, and I should have given myself the opportunity to practice in this size. Perhaps, I would have made the lines thicker, or created more contrast of the colour. However, from a further perspective, the web of lines blur and it is not as distinct as I hoped. I’d originally planned on painting an image of web of neurons in the foreground [page 1, upper & lower] but after some deliberation dismissed this idea as it didn’t feel correct to merge different perspectives of the neuron. The work is meant to symbolize how powerful the mind can be, and I feel like the evidence of Epiphany encapsulates the strength of our consciousness, how we can process so much information and naturally come to a decision in this form. I hope it makes the viewer feel emboldened. My mood whilst creating this was calm, I feel like this translates too grandly in the piece, when it should’ve been loud and ferocious, then again this may be that I am too critical of my own work. As a final analysis of my final piece, I am confident that the parts of the piece and the techniques I have established, have produced a well-rounded mixed media image. If I were to have more time, or to repeat the process, I would have 5
Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Jessica Wilkinson
created a sculptural element to form a genuine representation of the epiphany moment. Additionally, I have realised from my Final Piece that you do not always have to draw on imagery from the beginning of each project, as I ended up simplifying my design and dismissing those earlier suggestions. That being said, I know I have exceeded my aims at the beginning of this endeavor. The artists that I surveyed throughout this project had a profound impact on my technical ability, my view of the brain in a visual form and gave me courage to go places with my ideas I would not have considered previously. The artists that have been the most influential are Greg Dunn and Michael Porter. Greg Dunn imparted the grace of combining science and art as one, he effortlessly creates these amazing artworks that realistically portray emotions in neurological imagery. On the other hand, the work of Michael Porter is seamless in merging the abstract with the beauties of nature. As a viewer, I was in awe of the artworks produced by these artists and marvelled over the techniques they used to generate these results. Hopefully, in the future, my own work will reflect the same amount of skill. Personally, I believe the project was very successful. The chosen topic of ‘Epiphany’ was fascinating, and I hope my enthusiasm for the research shone through. This meant as I was developing the visual elements of my work, it felt supported by all I had learnt and the context of my neurological findings. For the future, I am now aware how important it is to have strong research to support your ideas, as it makes it a lot easier to make decisions concerning the formal elements. In summary, the experience from this assignment has greatly improved my skills, both technical and analytical, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time creating the work.
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Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Bibliography
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Jessica Wilkinson
Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Jessica Wilkinson
Websites: www.brainworldmagazine.cpm/the-aha-moment http://thebeautifulbrain.com http://www.sfn.org/annual-meeting/neuroscience-2014/at-the-meeting/art-ofneuroscience https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychologytextbook/biological-foundations-of-psychology-3/structure-and-function-of-the-brain35/cerebral-hemispheres-and-lobes-of-the-brain-153-12688/ http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8383 http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/research/art-and-religion http://www.religionfeasts.com/christianity/holidays/epiphany
Artists:
www.gregadunn.com www.liacook.com www.plioplys.com http://www.meganmcglynn.com http://www.jamesonfineart.com/ http://www.bradleytheodore.com/ http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/robert-rauschenberg-1815 http://www.gagosian.com/artists/anselm-kiefer http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/anselm-kiefer http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki.Anselm_Kiefer http://www.anselmstudio.com/fernandez-arman-robert_rauchenberg_s_refure-252-3-5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rauchenberg http://www.gregadunn.com/category/gold-leaf-paintings-by-greg-dunn/ http://www.michael-porter.co.uk/cv/ Podcasts: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mark-salata-how-taking-a-bath-led-to-archimedes-principle http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-brief-history-of-religion-in-art-ted-ed https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/neuroscience-and-psychoanalysis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UyifXoDBHA – Michael Porter (Rocks and Coasts)
Books: Epiphany; True stories of sudden insight to inspire, encourage and transform 8
Final Project – Final Piece
Epiphany
Jessica Wilkinson
Elise Ballard; Harmony Books; New York; 2011 Brain Story Susan Greenfield; BBC Worldwide Limited; London; 2000 Top Brain, Bottom Brain Stephen M. Kosslyn, PHD and G. Wayne Miller; Simon&Schuster; 2013
Articles: http://groups.psych.northwestern.edu/mbeeman/documents/CurrentDirxns Kounios-Beeman 2009.pdf “Search for Meaning; Where concepts reside in the brain” Douglas Heaven; NewScientist; 17 November 2012 http://comfortpit.com/5-step-aha-moment-process/ Jon Brooks; Comfort Pit.com http://www.paranormalhaze.com/10-famous-ghost-pictures-and-their-story/ http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9970-faq-the-human-brain.html#.VWGKk_BzGc http://kathrynweisberg.com/blog/74827/painting-in-oil-with-gold-leaf http://www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/how-to/printmaking/228/a-beginners-guide-todrypoint http://viewfromaburrow.com/2015/01/27/the-morgenthau-plan-anselm-kiefer/
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