Exhibition Text
This piece was made to represent the idea that, as humans, we tend to try and fix every little thing that we dislike about ourselves. It depicts the fact that once we stop poking at ourselves, slowly we mend back together. By a thread, is vice versa however, it is showing that we cannot put ourselves back together no matter what we do. It will never work. It was inspired by the raw images of Francis Bacon and the meaning behind the art of Figurative Expressionism: deeper meaning beyond the actual image.
PLANNING
Inspiration
When hearing about the dry point piece in class, immediately I knew what artist and art movement I wanted to be inspired by and have my art piece directly relate to.I wanted my dry point to have similar aspects to the art movement Figural Expressionism and "Crucifixion" by Francis Bacon. Within the Figural Expressionism movement, it was very common for artists to believe that figural painting was still at the time, very important and that their artworks should communicate a deeper truth beyond surface appearance.
I primarily focused on Francis Bacon's works within the time span of the 1930's. Within the 1930's it was here that Bacon began to focus on painting, which most of his works channeled the works of Picasso and surrealism. Bacon’s Crucifixion, 1933, attracted attention in the London art scene. Displayed in an exhibition at the Mayor Gallery that coincided with Herbert Read’s book Art Now, it triggered a subsequent commission. This piece was the work that first launched Bacon into the public eye, long before the much greater successes of the post-war years. The painting was inspired by Rembrandt's Slaughtered Ox (c.1638), but also by Picasso's Surrealist style. Crucifixion adds a ghostly touch to an already unsettling composition, introducing Bacon's obsession with pain and fear. Exhibited at a time when the horrors of the First World War were still remembered. Bacon's canvases communicate powerful emotions - whole tableaux seem to scream, not just the people depicted on them. This ability to create such powerful statements were fundamental for Bacon's unique achievement in painting. I was really inspired by this idea because it really correlates to what I want my piece to display very strong and raw emotions (being that people can never truly appreciate or even like who they are as a person). I want my piece to replicate the forms Bacon used within "Crucifixion" for example, the arms of the figure are elongated which is something that intrigued me from the beginning. |
Planning Sketches
IDEA #1
- depict decayed hands - symbolizes the idea of trying to repair oneself -thread meant to represent the sweet talk we give ourselves to feel better - bones showing: meaning cannot try to change ourselves no matter what. We will remain the same. - use cross-hatching technique - inspired by francis bacon IDEA#2 - depict a floating head - meaning: humans never really have a true and real grip on reality - the elongated neck shows that our heads will always be in the clouds and we will never try to confront IDEA#2 - |
Process
Collecting Images
Initially for the dry point I knew that I had wanted to include human anatomy within my piece. So instantly, I began to take pictures of my hands displaying them in different positions and different lighting to cast shadows in some places. This image above was the image I had decided to use for my dry point.
Making the Dry Point
Experimentation
Reflection
My artwork does display some of the elements of the inspiration I used, As stated before, I did note that there was very few similarities within my piece and Francis Bacon's but I do believe that there is a vast difference between the two. Overall, I do believe I could have done less regarding the texure, for example I could have tried to not put cross-hatching all over the image. I feel with all the cross hatching I did in the dry point piece, the image seems to have gotten lost along with the small details of the hand. Instead I could have focused making the details on the places where the shadow naturally would hit to have it create more depth in the dry point. I feel as though my piece is not as strong as I had conceptualized it in the very beginning. There could be some tweaks added here and there but the piece is not the best I could have done.
ACT Questions
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Works Cited
“1930s.” Francis Bacon, www.francis-bacon.com/artworks/paintings/1930s.
“Francis Bacon Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-bacon-francis.htm.
“Francis Bacon Overview and Analysis.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-bacon-francis.htm.