Artist Statement:
My work is a comparison between my childhood fears and my adult fears. This began with the image of Spiderman, whom I consider with both fear and intrigue, as I have repeatedly encountered him in strange ways throughout my life. Researching Carl Jung’s theory of Synchronicity, I have found a way of understanding this psychological occurence and I am therefore able to channel my fears into my art. Spiderman has since become a symbol for anxiety. I work in various medias with the intention for it to inform each other in a back and forth manner.
I have been researching the notable ‘naive’ artists Henri Roussau and Camille Bombois as I have found their self-taught painting style very apt to the ironically childish theme in my work. I have found a particular interest in Peter Blake for the way he brashly combines fantasy with pop culture in his paintings and combines bright, saturated colours to achieve this.
I also aim to reveal the personal elements within my work, removing Spiderman as a literal character and leaving behind an impression of his identity onto my own. By using my own face as a canvas/model, I have challenged my own fear of feeling trapped. I am essentially using self-portraiture as a way to represent my individual response to fear.
Work I plan to create for the show:
I plan to finish a series of paintings which are accompanied by textile and ceramic masks made by myself.
Either:
Ideally 2-3 walls; no additional lighting, open space (to appreciate paintings) with simple hanging of work and some shelves for my ceramic work. Daylight not necessary, just the light of the room, preferably not by a window.
Or:
A dark space set up with studio lights. Similar to a museum display, perhaps behind a curtain, illuminating all the objects in the room whilst casting interesting shadows. However this might be problematic for the paintings as the detail might not be as visible.
Once the work comes together it’ll be easier to tell which option would be the most beneficial. I would not require much assistance throughout the process of installing my show.
Above are ideas for a cube shaped space, I re-thought this as my paintings would need to have some distance from the viewer to be properly appreciated.
Same layout as the space I had last year; two walls and a corner wall, also useful for a combination of paintings and shelf objects. These are ideas for the possibility of not being able to acquire a dark space.
If I went for the simpler no special lighting idea, I would only require a lick of emulsion and perhaps some poly filler, and then some nails/screws to fit everything.
If I chose to go for a dark space layout then I would need the same materials as above, but I would also need studio lights and possibly a curtain, which I could provide myself. As of yet I can’t imagine any huge expenses going towards my exhibition. As my work expands I shall constantly be re-assessing my end of year show to find the best way of installing it. I could decide to go for the dark space layout, but it might be better to use a different kind of lighting, these are ideas I need to discuss with tutors and think about on my own.
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