Ideas and processes began with a journey, and I’ve aimed for them to end in the same way. Building on from my MMT final piece, which explored perinatal depression, I wanted to shift focus and continue that life journey in a new direction, exploring themes of happiness and nurturing times. This project has allowed me to reflect on personal growth and transformation, using my work to symbolise the more positive and uplifting aspects of life’s path.
In response to demonstrating technical and visual skills,
I’ve incorporated weaving and wrapping techniques using yarn and wire to create
stability and texture. The wire acts as a strong framework, much like the
skeleton in a body, providing structure and support, while the outer layers,
wrapped in soft natural fibres, bring a sense of warmth and organic beauty.
This contrast between the hard, supportive inner core and the soft outer
surface reflects a balance between strength and delicacy in my designs. It also
highlights my focus on composition and material choice to create depth and
meaning within the work. I have gained confidence in my observational skills,
which has allowed me to reflect on and develop my ideas further. For example,
my branches piece started flat, like a traditional dreamcatcher. However, as I
began knotting, the design evolved, becoming more dynamic and visually
engaging. This shift enhanced its representation of branches and gave it the
appearance of a net, adding an extra layer of meaning. This development in
technique highlights my growing ability to adapt and refine my designs, making them
more aesthetically and conceptually rich as they progress.
In demonstrating technical and visual skills, I have
incorporated techniques such as knotting, weaving, sewing, stitching, collage,
mark-making, twisting, melting, shaping, and printing. These methods, combining
surface textures and a combination of materials like wire and wool, have
allowed me to build a tactile richness and structural depth in my work. The
wire acts as a framework, like the skeleton of a body, providing strength and
support, while the soft natural fibres wrapped around it bring warmth and a
sense of organic beauty. This contrast between the hard inner core and soft
outer layers reflects a balance between strength and delicacy, key themes in my
designs. Additionally, the layering of textures and materials contributes to
the depth and meaning of each piece. Visually, I have focused on elements such
as aesthetic appeal, size, placement, and colour palette to ensure each piece
is both visually striking and conceptually meaningful. Understanding how to
create aesthetically pleasing work has been a crucial part of my process, from
determining the appropriate sizing to deciding whether a piece should be flat
or hanging. I have also considered where I display my work to get the best out
of it by finding spaces that fit the style and message, ensuring it resonates
with the audience, and enhances the overall impact, such as in a park or a
hall, to improve its connection with the environment. Tone, light, texture, and
even movement have played important roles in shaping the visual impact of my
installations.
My branches piece is one example of this development in both
technical and visual aspects. Initially designed as a flat, dreamcatcher-style
work, it evolved as I began knotting, transforming into a more dynamic and
visually engaging form. The final piece symbolises branches and reminds me of a
net, adding further layers of meaning. This shift highlights my growing ability
to adapt and refine my designs, making them more aesthetically and conceptually
strong as they progress. This process has boosted my confidence in observing
details and combining technical and visual elements to create solid, expressive
work. I have built a strong foundation of artists, techniques, and materials to
draw from in my studies. Along with knowing how to research and develop ideas
effectively, discovering artists like Lucy Freeman has also helped me grow more
confident in using collage as a medium. Throughout this unit, I’ve produced a
significant amount of work, and looking back at my early pieces, I can see how
much I’ve grown as an artist. I’ve started to develop my artistic style, with
family, nature, and colour emerging as key sources of inspiration for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment