Art and Reproduction Evaluation

This theme allowed me to gain skills in an area I was unfamiliar with, of sculpture and specifically plaster casting. I enjoyed the process of creating plaster casts in the workshop and returned with the idea to create casts of Barbie dolls in relation to the theme of art and reproduction. The use of the Barbie doll was key to the theme, with the iconic doll continuously being reproduced, but also the dolls in plaster have connotations of slaves which linked to the research into Plato’s cave theory with humans like slaves, only seeing reproductions of reality. The process of casting also links to reproduction with the process requiring continuously returning and reproducing the same process of dripping the wax, painting layers of latex to create the mould and then ultimately the process of reproducing the doll with the plaster.

Returning- I returned to this project after the Easter break, taking on board advice from the feedback that the sculptures were not yet complete and could be improved by taking them further. With this in mind I decided to continue with the idea of reproduction in terms of labour, by continuing a process, this time returning to the sculptures and dripping layers of paint over them. For this, I used watered down acrylic in muddy shades to reflect dirt and continue their slave like appearance. The use of colour was also discussed in the group critique, with the white plaster giving the dolls connotations of innocence and purity. I wanted this connection to remain, so I only partially covered the dolls in paint, allowing the brightness of the plaster to shine through.  

Art and Text Evaluation

Through this theme of art and text, I developed my skills as an artist by learning a new technique, which I had not explored before, of screen printing. I enjoyed the entire process of creating the prints, from designing them on paper and editing them on Illustrator to printing using the screens. 

Nonetheless, I did face some challenges throughout this process, which I resolved and improved on when creating a second series of prints. The first challenges I faced were digitally when editing the design on Adobe Illustrator, which was also a skill I was new to, having not used the software before. I also had some issues with my first prints of human error as I misaligned the second layer, or did not push the paint across the screen hard enough resulting in an inconsistent print. After experience though, these issues were resolved and resulted in my second series of prints being completely consistent.

After creating a series of screen prints, I took another look at the theme of Art and Text through the focus of my Studio essay and my interest in the artist Bob and Roberta Smith. In response to this, I created a series of signs from the art manifesto I wrote last term, which summarized what I think is important about making art. From this, I selected key sentences and phrases to use as the text on signs made on paper and made into a book and on scrap pieces of wood. I enjoyed returning to this project from a different perspective and incorporated skills I learnt from the book binding workshop when turning the signs into a collection. 

Proposal Project Evaluation

In evaluation, this proposal project was a great learning curb for me. I found a lot out about my chosen subject of interest into gender and its representation in the urban and natural world, as well as its reception. I found that the majority of phallic imagery was found in the urban environment, with yonic imagery predominant in the natural environment. It was also clear from an early stage peoples understandings of these words, with phallic being widely known but its female counter part almost unheard of, so I decided to explore this idea by creating an ambitious painting with an ambiguous subject from research into the artist Georgia O’keefe and first hand records of flowers for reference, to create a painting that would raise questions and ultimately awareness of the word yonic. It is also true that some awareness was raised, even if it was only amongst a small group of peers, ultimately the goal of the painting was achieved.

However, I faced many problems with this project and have gained experience that I would use if I was to do it again. Learning was least effective when I focused on creating a final product, rather than a series of work, as I had the ambition to create a large scale painting, which distracted me from creating a body of work and developing my ideas. To improve this, I decided to create another series of photographs to add to my body of work, but on reflection this would have been more useful before I started creating the painting. I also think I should have worked on a smaller scale first, creating a series of paintings to use as references, rather than being focused on creating one larger painting which ultimately became a daunting process that resulted in me ignoring the painting and returning to it at a later date to complete.

I also found one of my least effective study skills in this project was research, relying heavily on online research rather than benefiting from the resources available in Lincoln. To improve, I needed to take advantage of resources in the library and get more involved outside of the studio, with more visits to galleries and exhibitions. However, I did benefit from involvement in the critiques, which were a great opportunity to receive feedback and ideas for how to develop my work.

Statement

1. Situations when learning is least and most effective 
2. Identification of least and most effective study skills 
3. Proposal for studio work in Level 2

This semester I found learning most effective through critiques and workshops. The group and silent critiques were great opportunities to receive feedback and ideas for how to develop my work. The screen printing workshop was also particularly effective for me, as I learnt a new skill which I really enjoyed and returned to independently.

Learning was least effective when I focused on creating a final product, rather than a series of work. As seen in my studio proposal project: I had the ambition to create a large scale painting, which distracted me from creating a body of work and developing my ideas.

My least effective study skills were research, relying heavily on online research rather than benefiting from the resources available in Lincoln. In level 2, I intend to take advantage of resources in the library and get more involved outside of the studio, with more visits to galleries and exhibitions, as well as taking advantage of guest speakers. Over the summer break, I also intend to immerse myself in art in Norwich where I live, and London where I intend to visit.

In level 2 I propose to use research collected over the summer as basis for my studio work. Some ideas for what I would like to explore include sculptural work, which I have briefly explored through art and reproduction this module, as well as video and audio pieces, which is media I have not yet worked with but have an interest in exploring. 

Photographs

Painting Sculptures

Developing Sign Art