This collage piece 'Skilled {even by lamp light}' is representative of a project I'm gradually developing titled 'Skilled and Accomplished'. The project will be mainly concerned with the image and role of the female protagonist, narrator and heroine within stereotypical (in regards to gender roles) and exaggerated/dream like settings. The title of the project relates to the notion that, as politically correct and inclusive the world is today, old social formality dies hard. Especially when family is involved. At the same time, the project's conceptual theme will refer also to narrative structures, personal stories and the connection of female reader to female protagonist.
The Desperate Spaces exhibition brings together and extends the possibilities of found object (be it meaningless scrap paper, torn map or an ace of diamonds) and individual innovation/experimentation. Every participating artist was sent an envelope party pack full of found/aged 2D materials. The theme was to produce one or a series of small scale works from the 2D materials. The images posted are the result of my own experimentation.
Susan Spying , 2009 (gouache and found image on paper) The Illustrated Chapters , 2009 (ink and found image on paper) Boys Trick Secrets , 2009 (found image, cotton thread and doily)
Palais Theatre (ink on fabiano cotton rag paper). Another piece from 2007, this fine ink drawing hails from a stroll along the St Kilda esplanade in Melbourne. One of the best and loveliest buildings I've ever seen.
Sifting through image files from bygone projects...found this gem. St Kilda Pier I made this piece for a project in 2007 and then lost it (in much the same way Duchamp lost his Fountain). It stands to be replicated
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Something that fascinates....the work of John Stezaker. Stezaker's work intersects between two-dimensional realities, creating multiple dreamlike planes of representation. If you're into contemporary collage, look him up
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
This is a blog in the works...when it's finally been seen to like a fraying hemline....it will be neat, proper and mint!
This blog will attempt to give an insight into my everyday art practice. It will not be hoity-toity or dare it be said...wanky. If anything it will be an honest and simple documentation of my developing conceptual ideas, interests and practical processes. I'm enthralled with storytelling and visual narrative. I work with drawing, 2D collage/image, mixed media,installation, painting and animation. I'll elaborate more on the varying subjects/themes I work with...in posts and images of current or previous projects. Enjoy
Rachael Bartram