An Art Module exploring themes of self portrayal and representation. I produced a collection of work using text, drawn images, objects and digital animation.
SELF PORTRAIT
Chalk, ink, paint, pencil
A2
Words initially used to outline face. Gradual development of drawing, and disintegration of text. Some text from prose piece (TO FALL TO SLEEP (Part 2)).
Other words and phrases spontaneous. Random processes of thought and emotion. Streams (and puddles) of consciousness.
Drawing influenced slightly by cubist study. Fragmented text and letterforms reduced to lines and curves (the basic structure of letterforms).
This piece differs from TO FALL TO SLEEP (Part 2), which is text with fragmented, reduced image.
TO FALL TO SLEEP
Text Drawing
Poetic, spontaneous, gradual and considered streams of consciousness.
Creative moments.
Narrative and mixed imagery & symbolism.
Oceanic. Experiential. Sensual. Intellectual drives and dialogues. / monologue.
One voice (self). Three voices? How many?
Processes over time –
Time to write the text (without alteration) – 2-3 hours.
The passage of time in the narrative – evening to night / early morning
(this was continued in the animations Part 3).
Different experiences and emotional states over time, and ways of defining them (textually, visually, symbolically).
Achieved initial objective – to define a figure / silhouette using text. A reference not to outward appearance of self, but to the inner nature and psyche of self, revealing character and qualities. Aspects which define our identity.
The handwriting and colour schemes were continued in the objects made for this section. This was to produce a sense of continuation and connectedness of these separate pieces.
WHAT IS SELF?
SELF PORTRAIT
SELF CENTRED SELF ABSORBED SELF KNOWLEDGE
SELF ESTEEM
SELFISH
SELF IMAGE SELF MADE SELF DOUBT
SELF JUSTIFICATION SELF CONSCIOUS
SELF SEEKING SELF CONTAINED SELF ANALYSIS
SELF AGGRANDISEMENT
SELF CONGRATULATORY
SELF FULFILLING PROPHECY
SELF ABANDONMENT
SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE
SELF DENIAL
SELF ABUSE
SELF BETRAYAL
SELF DISCIPLINE
SELF CONSUMED SELF CRITICAL
SELF DECONSTRUCTIVE SELF DESTRUCTIVE
SELF CONTROL
SELF EMPLOYED
SELF PROPELLED SELF SEALING SELF CONTAINED
SELF EXPRESSION SELF GOVERNING SELF DECEIVING
SELF HEALING SELF IMPORTANT SELF IMMOLATION
SELF INDULGENCE
SELF POLLUTION SELF PLEASURE
SELF RAISING FLOUR
SELF SATISFIED
SELF SACRIFICE SELF RESPECT SELF SUFFICIENT
SELF DELUDING
SELF SEALING UNIT
SELFHOOD SELF HELP SELF AWARENESS
SELF AWARE
SELFLESS
DIALOGUE – Crow Conversations between the Magician and the Hermit
Chalk drawing with text
Influenced by Outsider Art (see support work).
Two poetic texts (one for each archetype) based on Tarot symbolism of the Magician and the Hermit. About inner dialogues, archetypes, magical dimensions. Themes covered in other pieces.
This piece, also TO FALL TO SLEEP, and SELF, have a theme of speech, communication with the spoken, or written, word. Something I sometimes fin frustrating, not always feeling able to communicate with words or speech.
Keeping things hidden, unspoken, or trying to communicate (express) them through artwork.
The Magician – creative, experiential
The Hermit – solitary, wisdom
Refers to experience of crow sitting on my head and hands for a while one night last years. Was studying Shamanic Journeying at the time. A meditation technique where one can meet animal and spirit guides on the inner realms, and can have conversations and guidance with them. This event felt like a physical manifestation of a journey, even though the crow did not actually speak out loud!
Visually, not a logical image – spontaneous and emotional construction, outside of defined ‘art’ forms. Organic forms derived from realism and emotional (‘abstract’) states.
TEENAGE BEHAVIOR
Objects (Interactive Anti-Packaging)
Text – When I was 14, I collected dead moths.
Fragmented sentence, can be read in different orders, creating alternative sentences and meanings. Text as evocative puzzle.
Words positioned on box with reference to packaging design. “Dead Moths” is prominent. Who would buy a product called “Dead Moths”? This is narrowcast.
The box is sealed. Ideally I would like it to stay like that. My daughter wanted to open it to see inside. When shaken, there is a sound. This has to retain its mystery, like a brief and private memory. This memory is rare, has strange overtones, and reveals something of who I am or who I was.
A degree of vulnerability is shown, reflecting me at fourteen, quietly collecting the dusty crumbly furry weightless creatures, as they lay on my windowsill. Frail and brittle in death, company in my room. Perhaps I missed my Granddad, perhaps I just liked them, remembered and watched with awe as they’d flit around the lampshade. The sound of their wings inside the lampshade (caught again in this box).And the silence of their mortality. Blown away into oblivion by a small breeze. Or kept by me in a box, even then, for future reference and photography.
A 34 year old man remembers being 14. The memory which defined my uniqueness has now become a dusty fond recollection. There was so much more around the situation. Cannot, should not return. This box has drawn the memory to the light.
It is contained and a certain healing recognition has occurred. Whether healing was needed it is difficult to say. There seems no clear reason for it within this memory. Perhaps it is symbolic, showing the teenager at odds with the world, questioning, curious.
BEDTIME TELEVISION
A Short Looping Animation
Director 7 movie transferred to Adobe Premiere
Experimental. Speed, subliminal text and imagery. We are used to seeing and interpreting imagery and text quickly because of TV and email, etc. (Though it is also something inherent in perception, eye – brain information).
Continued in the poetic, spontaneous way. Used photos (face, hand, feet) but also used some examples of painting and drawing, to explore self as artist. And to employ images and words as illustrations within a broader body of work.
Abbreviated text and communication. Rapid changes of information through combination of imagery and text.
Sensuality. Subliminal messages, various interpretations. Condensed information. Haiku.
3 sections emerged as the piece was made.
1 – Photo. Painting. Dissolving portrait. About illusion, art, artist. Psychedelia.
2 – Portrait / Lion – human and animal. Ally. Nature. Strength.
Gradual fading. Feet – change of perspective.
3 – Hand/torso – About sensuality, late night desire, dream. Looking to the next morning.
Sent.
(The busy hum of the early dark morning, when all the energy is leaving to drift off to sleep. The time (4.18 am) is the link back to the beginning. This is about the cycle of activity and rest. This theme was used in TO FALL TO SLEEP (Part 2).)
Similar colour schemes were used through each section, as this retained coherence between them, and also reflects mood and themes.
SELF
An Exploratory Animation
3 / 2002
(*NOTE: the animation will be placed here soon.Thanks DJH)
SELF
ask
invisible Angels
for
their affirmations
SPEECH
identity
SPEECH identity
6 / 3 / 2002 1.13 pm
between about
11.38 pm
&
12.59 am
big fish
LITTLE FISH
between about
7 / 3 / 2002 3.12 am
Return to SELF
Source images for animation.
DJH 3/02
