First Year Sculpture Exhibition and Critique

  Within my first term studying Sculpture, on 5th December 2013 I had to present my work in a small exhibition collaborating all our work together.  We experimented positioning our subjects in different angles to explore the nature of subject how the audience would view the three dimensional subject. The room was compacted with loads of different styles, which was complicated as to where to put certain work. Personally I thought there was too much to present professionally in one room, although I found I benefited from this experience, viewing and observing others work. 

"Untitled" Detail
2013

This photography presents a view of the room where we presented our work.

Within our Critique we were told to give critical feedback about another work which was an interesting approach to this task. I personally picked up upon the center floor piece, which has been dominated by the structural form, I believe this piece presented on its own on a larger scale would impact on the calm and peaceful subject, creating a calm and subtle atmosphere. 

"Untitled" Detail

2013

This photograph presents a photograph of my installation which I suspended from the roof, allowing the audience to view the piece from different perspective suggestive of change, as this piece changes individually through the audiences eyes and atmosphere, suggestive of the life cycle. I have suspended this piece to emphasize a sense of energy within the subject suggestive of a presence. 

I have presented subtle delicacy behind my dominant focus to reflect my development and exploration within my work. 

Although I found this exhibition successful in benefiting my practice, If I were to present this piece again, I would keep in mind of the distractions which surround the piece, as the air vent has caused a distraction to the subtle subject as presented in the photograph. 

Within my assessment week, I will have the opportunity to present my work again which I will document and reflect upon my negatives. 

"Untitled" Detail
2013
This subject presents my wall piece, which portrays a moth in a latex substance with highlights elements of death and decay. The latex within its own integrity decays over time creating a sense of time. I have layered a feather into the piece which is suggestive of the afterlife, creating a spiritual atmosphere. I have used moths to replicate the subject of death, as they only live a short live expectancy. 

"Untitled" Detail

2013

I have layered a religious element within this piece which reflects the belief of the afterlife, as I have incorporated text from the bible, I believe this creates a sense of history and a spiritual atmosphere. 

"Untitled" Detail

2013

I found this photograph inspiring, as the materials capture an essence of natural light, suggestive to a natural cycle. The light has depicted certain areas of the installation, creating intensity and delicacy within the piece reflecting sensitive emotions within the piece and the translucency creates a spiritual atmosphere. 

The shadow reflected behind the subject is an emphasis of a presence creating a beautiful surreal atmosphere. 

Development

"Untitled"
 Cellophane, Latex, Floor, Thread, Feather, Metal, Flour, Paper

2013

"Untitled" Detail

2013

Here I have experimented suspending my piece to capture a sense of movement, creating nostalgia reflecting upon the life of the moth, capturing an essence of awe contemplating on the life cycle. 

I have used feather within my work to replicate a sense of the afterlife as I have been inspired by Lisa Kokin as she uses this within her piece "Afterlife" as I believe it creates an angelic atmosphere. 

The material cellophane capture strong element of light as it is reflective, reflecting the near experience of "seeing the light". 

Although I believe this piece is successful in conveying my concept, I need to develop and perhaps work on a larger scale and suspend my piece from a three dimensional perspective. 

Development

Having explored through the nature of moths, to reflect a spiritual atmosphere, highlighting elements of the life cycle such as fragility and decay, I going to explore more translucent materials having been influenced by Karla Black and Eva Hesse. 

"Untitled"

 Cellophane, Flour, Latex, Thread, Paper 
2013

I have experimented layering cellophane which is a natural material in which we use in everyday life highlighting the sensitive subject, the material is almost a representation of life, how delicate and precious it is. I have layered latex which ages within its own substance, suggestive of decay, I have emphasized this by using thread which is a fragile material. I have layered flour to reflect a facade highlighting the space between the piece and the audience interacting with them as naturally, they try to look through the distraction. The flour substance I have used creates a sense of realism within the piece as moths have a powdery element. 

"Untitled" Detail
2013

I have layered a delicate moth into the piece to emphasize the element of death and decay within the piece, this has allowed me to experiment with a combination of materials developing my concept. 

"Untitled" Detail
2013

Having experimented with this piece, I am going explore suspending my work to emphasize a sense of movement within the piece which will reflect the moths life and suggestive of a presence. 

Non-art Research

Fly fishing flies

Having been given feedback, I have explored fly fishing flies as they are deceiving and trick fish into thinking at they are food, giving a sense of false hope highlighting an element of detail. 

Fly Fish 

I found the use of detail within this piece interesting as the material looks fragile and brittle creating a sense of negativity and decay. The colour pallet is limited creating a sense of realism reflecting a subtle presence. The mark making is textured and disjointed suggestive of decay perhaps this subject has had its use and becoming fragile suggestive of the life cycle. I may experiment with similar materials and structure to explore and experiment creating delicate moths which represent death. 

Joseph Beuys

Having researched in Joseph Beuys I find his drawings interesting, how he uses limited colours pallets combined with traditional materials in a simplistic and detailed aspect. There is a sense of age to his work as they create a sense of history which I find interesting to engage within my work to create the distortion of time reflective upon the human life cycle. 

Score for Action with Transmitter (felt) Receiver in the Mountains

1973 

Graphite on Paper 

I find this interesting as its almost an abstracted drawing in perspective, creating a sense of control. The title "Transmitter Receiver in the Mountains" is suggestive of a journey.

The Table 

1952 

Graphite, Watercolour and Stamp on Paper 

The surface is compacted with personalized notes reflecting Beuys thoughts which creates a sense of nostalgia. The figurative subject is positioned posing reflecting over onto the surface suggestive of a new start moving on. The figure is almost abstract as there is no fine detail suggestive she's positioned almost in motion in an caption of a memory. The stamp is almost a representative of a souvenir, creating a sense of history. 

 Joseph Beuys, Magazine Cover 

I find this piece interesting as Beuys as almost drew the atmosphere and space around the figure, almost presenting an tangible presence. The subject is almost translucent, like a orb, a presence almost in a memory creating a surreal atmosphere. 

Karla Black

Karla Black uses unusual materials which are non-traditional materials combined with traditional,  within her practice. Using personal cosmetics such as body moisturizer creams, cling film, powder, hair spray, lipstick etc, which I find interesting allows Black to create a personal subject. Black uses her materials in a delicate substance as they consist of translucency. The materials have a familiarity within the audience and Black herself, through touch and scent, a tangible sense creating a nostalgia presence reflecting a sense of memories. This could reflect the near death experience of "seeing the light" as you have flash back of all your memories creating a sense of nostalgia. 

  I find this interesting as it reflects a sense of memoirs, nostalgia and spiritual energy which reflects an near death experience. I feel the textile of these surface replicate an abstraction of moths which I believe symbolize these characteristics. 

Forget about Faces 2008
 Mixed Media
 (Cling film, body moisturizing creams, cellotape, paint)

Forget about Faces 2008,
Detail 

Black has presented her work suspended from a wall from a lower point of view, allowing the audience to look down on the subject, which could highlight Blacks sensitivity of her personal body form or life, as this piece is very personal. The fact is positioned on the floor could suggest that Black has reflected upon it, it's almost like a memorial suggestive of death. 

Eva Hesse

Eva Hesse

 

Eva Hesse is sculptor well known through the late 1960's, who sadly died at a young age with brain cancer, having been advised to look at Hesse work, she has became an inspiration within my practice. 

Hesse often uses latex to create her work which I find this material interesting, as it can used in many contexts, I believe it creates a spiritual dimension as the substance is delicate and translucent hinting onto a element of a presence. 

"Contingent" 1968-69
Fiberglass, latex on cheese cloth

I found the use of translucency within this piece influential as the piece is subtly suspended, creating a sense of a presence suggestive of a spiritual atmosphere. The latex itself ages reflecting an element of time. 

"Untitled" 1970
Latex over rope, string and wire

I found the presentation of this installation interesting, as it creates a sense of energy suspending elements to suggest movement. Although I didn't understand the concept within her work before, I now have a better understanding. Hesse at the stage of creating this piece was very ill, I felt it almost reflect her presence, this piece was to presented suspended but continuously to be presented in the future. The subject will never be hung in the same position, therefore it changes and experiences, reflecting a journey and wisdom. This is suggestive of an afterlife highlighting a sense of decay. 

Light and Calm

Within sculpture, we have moved on focusing on a assigned brief, which allows various ideas as I choose from 20 words, refining my ideas to depicting two keywords. 

In relation to my two selected themes, I choose light and calm, I believe this captures a essence beauty and surrealism, a strong intensity of light in relation to the "Afterlife", seeing the light. 

Having researched into moths, I learnt they represent a significance of death as they only live a short life expectancy. In my personal experience camping in this previous summer, I found it interesting how moths are attracted to the light creating a sense of awe, I wish I could of captured this but unfortunately I didn't have a camera, I felt this could replicate the beauty of seeing the light creating a peaceful atmosphere.  

"Untitled"
Mixed media (Feathers, Material, Thread)

2013

 This piece I was experimenting with drawing and over layering materials to create a relief emphasizing their presence. I have overlaid the subject onto material, which moths are attracted materials eating away at the fragments of the materials highlighting the nature within the piece, reflecting a sense of decay. I have placed feathers to signify a angelic and spiritual atmosphere, having took inspiration from Lisa Kokin. I have them stitched these elements in place holding the fragile pieces together almost representing a sense of history, the loose string is suggestive of energy almost presenting the future, theres life after death. The material itself could be sentimental to the audience creating a sense of nostalgia, perhaps a passed down precious object.

"Untitled"
 Mixed media (Feather, Thread)

2013

I have experimented taking the moth to a 3D form, placing its presence in a space and surrounding it to view how the audience would pursue the subject. I have used delicate materials to create the form, to suggest a sense of fragility reflecting the life cycle. Unintentionally taking this photograph I have captured an essence of light with illuminates the subject intensively creating a spiritual atmosphere. I presented this subject on a surface, which would have worked better been suspended as it would create a sense of energy emphasizing the concept. 

"Untitled"
MDF Wood
2013 

I wanted to experiment with various materials within different workshops I have been inducted to, to get wide range of results. I held the elements together using "Yuuhoo" Glue which is a strong substance, although this when its dried creates a textured almost translucent surface which I find interesting as it creates a dried fragile element. I find this experimented beneficial as I resulted in knowing I don't want to use this material as its too solid to work with when conveying a sensitive subject. 

"Untitled"
 Mixed Media (Feathers, Metal, Paper)
2013

I combined my successful materials together, and created a subject taking inspiration from my non-art research as I explored fly-fish, as they are delicate and detail subjects. They almost reflect death themselves, as they are deceptive capturing fishes. I took into consideration of being able to stand within this piece and presentation. Eva Hesse uses metal within her work to represent flesh, which creates a sense of realism within my piece highlighting the life cycle. I presented the subject laid on its back which gives the audience an impression of death. The strong intensity of light reflects my experience of feeling a element of awe symbolizing "seeing the light". 

"Untitled"
Mixed Media (Paper,Flour, Feathers, Coffee)
2013

Here I experimented with an abstract subject, layering different delicate materials to replicate the texture of a moth, I could have used more translucent elements as a moth is delicate and fragile. I used flour to capture the powdery subject which could be used to present their presence.

Tracey Emin

I have found Tracey Emin inspirational within my practice, I find the simplicity within her work interesting as they portray a sensitive subject, which is honest and explicit. Recently I visited Saatchi Gallery where she exhibited her work which was exciting, where she presented mono prints and sculptures. 

Frieze Art Fair, London, 2013

I found this piece interesting as the limited colour pallet reflects a sense of honesty within the piece highlighting emotions of sadness and betrayal. The animal is presented looking away from the directed camera suggestive hiding and turning away from the audience. The piece almost is  camouflaged with the surroundings highlighting this, and creating a element of a presence which cannot be touched or seen.
"I whisper to my past do I have another choice", this is suggestive Kokin is reflective upon the past highlighting a sense of history perhaps sadness of loss and regret. 

Lisa Kokin

Lisa kokin is an american artists in which I have found as a great inspiration within my practice, both visually and conceptually. 

 Maternal Instinct

Constellation 

Kokin collects profound photographs of unknown strangers, and explores the nature of the photograph, the subjects are lost, therefore Kokin's creates them new life presenting them. The stitching almost intertwines with each photograph almost creating a time line. The installation allows the subject to move creating a sense of energy, reflecting their life and nostalgia, the layers of stitching highlights an sense of decay within the piece. Although the subject are anonymous, they are recreated to impersonate and reflect Kokins personal experiences. 

"Feeling of sadness and nostalgia that acquiring other people's memories provokes in me"

Lisa Kokin

Abridged

This is suggestive of loss, as Kokin collects a selection of old books creating them into a pulped substance to recreate their content leaving hidden messages which have been depicted. I find this interesting as I could incorporate this into my work creating paper pulp of my personal belongings which could highlight the change throughout the life cycle. 

Front of the Bus (Rosa Parks)

Front of the Bus (Rosa Parks), Detail

This piece reflects Kokin's childhood, as in 2001 she experience the loss of her father and she found herself questioning her identity. Kokin felt the use of buttons represent her childhood, as she was constantly stitching, therefore each button could represent a memory, reflecting a sense of nostalgia. Kokin almost paints with the use of her buttons creating a family portrait which creates sensitive emotions reflecting her personal life. 

 What Remains

Kokin has collected objects which are both collective and personal, which are laid into latex, which the material itself decays within time the latex darkens. The subjects could represent a personal memory arising sensitivity within the piece almost creating a sense of history.

 Afterlife, Detail

I found this piece interesting as the figures are angelic suggestive of the "Afterlife" which subjected within the title. Kokin has layered feathers to replicate this, the feather are delicate and light creating a essence of a presence. The figures are presented old fashioned creating a sense of history, the stitching has been incorporated to highlight an element of fragility.

Remembrance

I find this interesting as it presents a delicate subject hanging which reflects the Jewish history and the Holocaust, a sense of history. I am interested in the aged subject, the shirts are almost translucent creating a subtle presence, the sensitive lighting within the piece creates a spiritual atmosphere.

Sculpture

Within our sculpture module, our first assignment was to work together as a pair, where my partner had to explore outside to gather ideas and had to explain the subject which she had depicted, avoiding giving direct details, they had to descriptive by touch.
The subject she had chosen was chandeliers, which I had to construct using cardboard, which I found interesting to get our creativity going although this material doesn't appeal to my practice in the way I use materials. 

 Mixed media (Plastic wallet, String, Leaf, Thread) 

This presents a development from my previous experimentation, I wanted to explore natural objects from our everyday life's within this piece to replicate this traditional object. I have used translucent material in which the surface captures and reflects a essence of light creating a sense of realism reflecting the subject. 

Mixed media (Leaf, Watercolour, Thread, Graphite)

Here I have experimented drawing the subject, using a subdued colour pallet to create a sense of dullness, suggestive of decay and fragility. Their is an essence of nature within this piece as the movement of the loose thread is refreshing suggestive of wind reflecting the subtle colour pallet as well. I have used thread to capture ridged detail within the subject, capturing the cracks within the life cycle, and almost create a sense of movement reflecting the movement around the subject "Chandelier".

Mixed Media (Coffee, Graphite, Compressed Charcoal, Masking tape)

Here I was experimenting with perspective and space to highlight the atmosphere, which personally feel empty and lonely, as the colour pallet is limited and aged creating a sense of history and decay. 

1900 - 1950's Group Presentation

1900 - 1950's 

Within my sculpture session, we were put in to groups to create a collaborated presentation based on exploring an era. I was given the 1900s to 1950s, we researched in various contexts to gather information in which we learnt. I explored artists which I found interesting which created a contrast within our presentation, highlighting the different aspects within this era, such as William Reid Dick and Barbara Hepworth.

All around us, in our streets and city squares and on the buildings we walk past, is the work of the sculptors of the early twentieth century.

Our towns and cities are mainly late nineteenth or early twentieth century in their current appearance, and sculpture is a recurrent part of their fabric.

Exhibitions

During this era there was a shift from private institutions and individual exhibits to exhibitions open to the public. Sculpture was decided that it was hard to exhibit due to the size and weight of the sculpture compared to a painting.

The Raise

The start of the raise of sculpture came from the men in the 1850s and 1860s by artists such as John Henry and John Bell. This continued into the 1900s, when the Society of British Sculpture was found in 1904, this caused promotion and awareness of sculpture. Specifically since 1945 where British sculptors became internationally recognized.

Material

Bronze became a popular choice of material in the 1900s as well as the material terracotta. Artists started to experiment with materials and mixing different and new media together. They also started to introduce colour in a more central format.

Cubism

There was controversy over cubism and sculpture, a debate on whether you can call sculpture cubistic; this was dominated in 1908 to 1914.

Travel effected sculpture, as artists are able to see other places and cultures, as well as materials and objects being imported. Specifically African masks affected this.

War

The First World War effected sculpture as artist found it hard to display heroic soldiers. The horror of war touched and affected everyone. Memorials start to be made in honour in a respectable manner.

Figures and Surrealism

The human figure became prominent during this time; instead of going down the realistic road artists began to look at surrealism. The idea behind a surrealistic object became poetic.

The sculptor Henry Moore manages to portray a dream like sculptures.

Henry Moore, Reclining Figure, 1939, Bronze on wooden base, 137 x 254 x 86 mm

Alberto Giacometti

Swiss Artist

1901-1966

He was declared a highly gifted artist worldwide.

He was well travelled.

He grew up in an artistic family; his grandfather and father were painters, his brother an artist and his other brother an architect.

Alberto Giacometti, Seated Man, 1949, Oil Paint on Canvas

Figure

He became interested in the human figure, both in drawing and sculpture, he used his nephew multiple times as his model.

He became interested in sculpture after seeing a bust and started to experiment with plasticine.

He visited sculptor Henri Laurens who focused on the figures in an abstract and surreal way. This then inspired him to do the work that he is now famous for.

He wanted to break out of the idea of a model just standing there; he wanted to create the unique within the general.

Henri Laurens, Head of a Young Girl, 1920, Limestone, 393 x 174 x 125 mm

Alberto Giacometti, Man Painting, 1947, Bronze

Auguste Rodin

French Artist

1840-1917

Auguste Rodin had his first solo exhibition in his own country in 1900 at the age of 60.

He exhibited over 150 sculptures and many works on paper.

Rodin had received a commission for the work that was to become ‘The Gates of Hell’ in 1880, but it was not until 1900 that this work was finally shown in public.

Auguste Rodin, ‘Gates of Hell’

‘The Rodin Exhibition’ in Pavillon de l’Alma, Paris 1900, lasted from June to November and Rodin was there in person most days.

The hall was brightly lit by tall windows and divided by screens into smaller rooms, which gave the impression of an informal intimacy.

Sir Thomas Brock

English Sculptor

1847-1922  

Thomas Brock

Brock was born in Worcester, attended the School of Design in Worcester and then undertook an apprenticeship in modelling at the Worcester Royal Porcelain Works.

He first came to prominence when he was asked to complete the statue of Prince Albert for the Albert Memorial.

Thomas Brock, Albert Memorial, 1872

In 1901 Brock was awarded the colossal equestrian statue of Edward the Black Prince, set up in Leeds City Square.

Thomas Brock, Edward the Black Prince, 1901

Sir Thomas Brock was also given perhaps his most significant commission, the vast multi-figure Imperial Memorial to Queen Victoria in front of Buckingham Palace. According to legend, at the unveiling in May 1911, George V was so moved by the excellence of the memorial that he called for a sword and knighted Brock on the spot.

Thomas Brock, Victoria Memorial, 1911

Barbara Hepworth

English Sculptor

1903-1975

1920-21

Leeds School of Art

1921-24 

Studies sculpture at the Royal College of Art, London.

Barbara Hepworth, “Mother and Child”, 1934

This presents Hepworth's experience of motherhood, she created this piece whilst pregnant. It reflects the relationship between mother and child.

William Reid Dick

Scottish Sculptor

1878-1961

This carving of a child head creates a sense of innocence reflecting fragility.

The marble is contradictive to this as it a solid hard material, creating a sense of negativity within the piece almost suggestive of a skull highlighting death.

William Reid Dick, Dawn, 1921, Marble

Pablo Picasso

Spanish artist

1881-1971

Picasso experimented with sculpture between 1912-14 and produced several guitars. These were clearly unconventional in body but very intriguing in that he had took each component and stuck them together in which ever way he saw fit. The sculptures still resemble guitars however they are purely cubism in nature.

Once the presentation was complete we were given feedback on how it was presented and the information included. Overall it was positive, we were clear, loud and they could understand what we were telling them. Our presentation had a wide variety of facts and different artists but to improve could add a timeline that clearly shows the changes during this time. Introduce the movements that happened during this time as well as the better-known sculptors such as Duchamp. Also include more photographs and facts on what happen internationally.