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.

Symbols in Fruit and Vegetables (Black and White)

Below shows my series of photgraphs capturing both yonic and phallic imagery found in the natural environment through the form of fruit and vegetables. This images are edited using the skills I had gained from experience of the first series of photographs.

Symbols in Fruit and Vegetables

Following the completion of the large scale painting, I decided to reflect on all I had produced for the proposal project and what could be improved. I found that while the photography was a success and lead to some great references for the painting, I was lacking in a series of work and focused too much on creating this idea of a final piece. Thus, I decided to return to the photography as it was something I enjoyed and to build a stronger body of work for the proposal project. The first series of photography, while aimed at imagery in the natural world, focused solely on yonic imagery and only through flowers, so I decided to explore both yonic and phallic imagery in the natural world as I had previously explored both in the urban environment through the form of sketches.

Proposal Project Revisited

I found the task of facing such a large painting daunting, after I had painted so much I reached a block and did not know how to finish the painting. The Easter break gave me a great opportunity to return to the painting with a fresh outlook.

Following the completion of the large scale painting, I decided to reflect on all I had produced for the proposal project and what could be improved. I found that while the photography was a success and lead to some great references for the painting, I was lacking in a series of work and focused too much on creating this idea of a final piece. Thus, I decided to return to the photography as it was something I enjoyed and to build a stronger body of work for the proposal project. The first series of photography, while aimed at imagery in the natural world, focused solely on yonic imagery and only through flowers, so I decided to explore both yonic and phallic imagery in the natural world as I had previously explored both in the urban environment through the form of sketches.

Final Painting

Coming back from Easter was the break I needed to revisit the painting with fresh eyes and new motivation.

Painting Progress

Painting Progress Day One

Symbols in Nature (Black and White)

I also took this opportunity to explore my photography and editing skills, using Adobe Photoshop. The above images have all been edited to grayscale with contrast and light being adjusted accordingly to emphasize the flowers and the layers of petals which are key to reflecting the female form.

Symbols in Nature

Following my research into Georgia O’keefe’s large scale paintings, I collected first hand recordings of flowers to use as reference for my own painting. For these references I chose flowers that represented the yonic shape, as well as having flesh like shades of pinks and yellows to further reflect the female body.

Making a Stretcher

The dimensions of the stretcher are 120cm x 80cm. I created the stretcher with Rob in the woodworking workshop, helping to cut the 4 x 4 frame, sand it to 45 degree angles and screw together. 

After making the stretcher I primed it using a mixture of emulsion, PVA and water. 

Research

Tee Corinee 'Cunt Colouring Book'
Judy Chicago

Painting Experiment

In trial for my larger scale painting, I explored working on a smaller piece of canvas stretched over A5 size mdf board. This allowed me to explore colour mixing and colour contrasting. 

Designs for Painting

Following the research into Georgia O'Keefe's paintings, I sketched some designs for my own large scale painting. With these designs I incorporated the shapes of yonic imagery I found in the natural and urban environment.

Ultimately, I have chosen an abstract yet still very suggestive design that captures the vivid colours found in yonic imagery in the natural world.

Georgia O'Keeffe and Yonic Imagery

Georgia O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887 – March 6, 1986) was an American artist from Wisconsin, who distinguished herself as one of America's most important and most celebrated modern artists. She revolutionized the tradition of flower painting in the 1920s by making large-format abstract paintings of enlarged blossoms, presenting them close up as if seen through a magnifying lens. 

In the below paintings, O'Keeffe explores yonic imagery in a floral and seductive way. I am interested in the use of soft colours and smooth lines that create a sense of peace and beauty. This is something I wish to explore as I create my own series of paintings. 

What I find interesting about O’keefe’s art is the ambiguity of the subject of the painting to make the viewer question its resemblance to flowers and the female genitalia. This links to my previous idea of bringing awareness to the meaning of the word ‘yonic’, as an ambitious in scale and ambiguous painting will certainly lead to questions by the viewer of the painting, including my peers and tutors. 

Phallic and Yonic Imagery in the Natural and Urban World

After researching my theme of gendered objects I decided to explore phallic and yonic imagery in the natural and urban world. To do this, I took a series of sketches of imagery I found outside around the University and centre of Lincoln. Below are my sketches, I found that there were far more examples of phallic imagery in the urban world, but interestingly more yonic imagery in the natural world.

I decided to make sketches of phallic and yonic imagery found in the urban environment based on what I would come across on a day to day basis, so I chose to sketch the imagery found on the walk from my flat to the art studios. The sketches depict phallic imagery most commonly found in structural objects, such as columns and barriers. It was also noted a lack of yonic imagery in the urban environment, with the few examples from this journey being an electric fan and a modern street light. Of course it must be considered the practicality of the long cylinder shape in architecture as opposed to a triangular shape at supporting the weight of a structure, hence the reflection of more phallic imagery than yonic found in the urban environment.

It is also interesting to consider peoples understanding of phallic and yonic imagery. Whilst in general conversation with peers, it was often noted that many had heard of ‘phallic’ but none had heard of the female counter part ‘yonic’. This idea is something I would like to build on in my proposal project, raising awareness of the word yonic and its meaning.

Proposal Feedback

The feedback from the initial proposal picked up on my interests in the theme of gender and the method of drawing and suggested combining these interests as a basis for my work.

Ideas-

1) To explore gender from a masculine perspective, as well as a feminine perspective.

2) To go on a walk and document gender in both the natural and urban environment by taking pictures and through drawing.

3) To consider the surface I work on, if I decide to sketch on paper, consider the quality and weight of paper.

4) Produce rough sketches from life, as well as more detailed drawings.

Studio 1B Proposal

Initial Proposal

Before you start to think about the ideas you want to engage with this semester, think back over the interventions and presentations that you engaged with last semester.  Think about the research you did for your essay. Spend some time thinking about the following?  In your first discussion session the replies to the following questions will form the bases of the dialogue.

What interested you?

I was most interested in the theme of my essay 'gendered objects' and enjoyed researching online and in the library into this subject. The skill I most enjoyed from last term was drawing although I did not find myself exploring this as much as I would have liked through Studio 1A.

What was successful? How was it successful?

I found the group work most successful, including the video and archive we made in pairs after following a map to an unknown location. The location my pair and myself were taken to was a river in a part of lincoln we had not yet explored, this in itself was also interesting, the idea of the unexplored. 

What was unsuccessful? Why was it unsuccessful?

I found the majority of the work I produced for Studio 1A unsuccessful because I did not push ideas far enough and I lacked motivation and inspiration to produce independent work. In order to improve on this side of the course for Studio 1B I will aim to participate in more independent research in order to explore my own interests.

Which artists interest you?

The artists I studied for my essay I found the most interesting: Karla Black, Nicholas Hlobo, Cathy Wilkes.

Why are you interested in their practice?

I was most interested in Nicholas Hlobo because he explores gender, sexuality, ethnicity and his own identity in his work in an exciting way, including performance pieces and sculptures.

If you had to describe your artistic aspirations in one line, what would that be? Think about the questions you asked and answered to determine if you are an artist?

To produce self motivated work that is personal and meaningful.

How would you achieve your aims?

To achieve my aims I need to work more independently and be prepared to take risks to further develop my work. I also need to take advantage of the facilities I have available to me, including the workshops, studios and the library for research.

Are their skills you need to acquire to achieve your aim?

The skills I need to achieve these aims are research skills, independent learning skills and critical thinking. As well as, improving on my drawing skills as I am most interested in the method of drawing.

Is their support you need to achieve your aims?

The support I need is to take advantage of mentor meetings and contact times to talk through ideas and progress.

What is the context of the direction you wish to take?

I have chosen the drawing elective in order to progress in my interest of drawing. I would also like to explore drawing in relation to the theme of gender, which is the subject I began to find myself to be most engaged with during Studio 1A.

What contemporary artists will inform your enquiry?

This document will form a learning contact for the semester – obviously your ideas will develop over time in which case you should update the document in consultation with your studio tutor.