Project title: Contour
Venue: Attenborough nature reserve
Date: Saturday 19th July
Artist statement
As a autoethnographic illustrator/artist my final major project ‘contour’ is a body of artwork that focuses upon principally performative drawing, therapeutic practice and queer world building. The project is an Atelier that showcases the process of performance drawing within a classroom setting.
Contour is in relation towards blind contour drawing which is a drawing exercise where the artist looks only at the subject and not at the paper while drawing its outline. As an artist there are many reasons to engage within this process namely: develop hand-eye coordination, enhance observational skills, embrace imperfection and a way to expressively engage within a creative practice.
The project is made – up of a series of A2 paintings/drawings, a short – film which runs for twelve minutes and displayed upon a seventy-two-inch television screen. A projection of an image of a painting onto ruby textured mount board on the venue wall. Finally, a table which includes a variety of pens, pencils and paper for the workshop demonstration.
Predominantly my main area of methodology has been through picture visual research methods of practice. This includes sourcing primary images for reference working with numerous secondary sources and photographing my own with the intention representation of time and space within the nature reserve.
Within my current practice it has been significantly important to select appropriate locations to source these images within the Attenborough nature reserve. Several ways in which this has been undertaken was through archiving, photography, film, diagrams and maps. Observation as a key effective tool in which to actively involve myself with the situation that I was observing using the same techniques as wildlife conservationists.
Contextual statement
The chosen venue for the Atelier is Attenborough Nature Reserve Centre which sets the subject matter of the artwork and sits within the environment it encompasses. Collaboration with Beth Maples manager and other voluntary members of the nature reserve through venue and space hire, but also relevant sites to record through multiple observations. The audience for my project will be largely wildlife enthusiasts which is appropriate for the subject matter of the surrounding ‘landscape’.
Contour is in relation towards blind contour drawing which is a drawing exercise where the artist looks only at the subject and not at the paper while drawing its outline. As an artist there are many reasons to engage within this process namely: develop hand-eye coordination, enhance observational skills, embrace imperfection and a way to expressively engage within a creative practice.
The social – cultural issue that is being exhibited here is the idea of ‘escaping’ working class origins; the emotional costs and negative impacts of social mobility (…) and the specific problem of social mobility into creative jobs. (Brook, O’Brien, Taylor, p.193) The negative psychological effects which this brings and within this project how to positively overcome those areas, through an experience within this connection one could say my work is very autobiographical.
Project Documentation
A film -screening of the twelve-minute short – film that explores the relationship with landscape, artist and natural association of British wildlife.
The film screening was part of the public facing outcome in collaboration and working with the other artistic elements within the space.
Purposely showcasing my artwork using the blue low tack tape as part of the exhibition. A variety of prototypes in which the viewer could communicate what they personally feel about the art.
This self – initiated collection of polaroid images was created through being within the space and embodying the images around in and around the environment which was being worked within. This was by no means the plan to even create, the outcome appeared to have been a conjured illusion through recording the exhibition through a medium which has become a stable within my current practice. The photographs had a blue filter which had been attached to the lens to create an emotional quality towards the images.
Creating valuable conversations that can influence the next stage decision making , choosing the final style of my artistic direction.
Audience encounters through a variety of ages and genders held within the classroom space.
A publication booklet for audience feedback and designed as a means of gathering and to create constructive critical feedback.
Collaborator Victoria Sparrow
Photography
Contact details towards my artistic blog