Summative Assessment (ART727)
Week beginning: 13th July 2024
Throughout this final module, I intended to showcase a portfolio of pieces displaying my knowledge and progression regarding the environmental issue, Deforestation. I have showcased a range of experimental pieces on a much larger scale using techniques I have previously explored throughout my time at Wrexham University. Alongside this I intended to create and develop a thesis exploring my time at university in further depth as well as a series of compositional works about forests.
It became clear to me throughout the design planning stage that i was to stick firmly within the field of forestry given the vast amount of imagery and knowledge i had collected whilst on placement at Thetford Forest last year. I have attached some photographs of the ideas and design planning stages of the project, exploring possible ways in which i could experiment this module.
My way of working this module didn't differ, i continued Researching Into the subject using critical studies of practices, historical studies, and past collections etc. This included artist research, both primary and secondary research and imagery. Researching Through performing the acts of photography and illustration as processes, developing ideas and works along with experimentation. This experimentation took place in the form of deconstructing my work , finding ways to destroy them in an almost protest art function.
As documented within my blog, I began by sketching and responding creatively to my initial found research.
Researching For, collecting source materials and acquiring techniques and skills to produce outcomes. (Gathering both primary and secondary research and attending workshops).
I have demonstrated my development and progression through the presence of an online blog/WordPress. And visual progression is to be stored within sketchbooks and workbooks throughout the year as evidence. These will be coherent and available for referencing as and where necessary.
Methods of working: Studio work, workshops, research visits, trips to galleries and exhibitions, creative/critical writing, location drawing, fieldtrips, WordPress, (Blog updates)
Outcomes: Thesis and series of prints or photographic works about forests and the threats they face regarding deforestation and climate change.
Deconstructing an image with miniatures.. Continued
I have taken influences from my previous modules and continued experimentation with the deconstruction of a single image in separate stages, using my previous illustrations. The outcome resulted in one single image, created as a focal point, and then with each corresponding frame the image is slowly deconstructed and taken apart by a series of miniatures dressed in forestry clothing. These miniatures were individually hand painted and positioned within the frame to exaggerate the meaning of man-made destruction. The miniatures acting and representing the acts of deforestation and the destruction of something beautiful. The aim was to portray a sense of protest art, with the onlooker witnessing first hand the dismantling of the image frame by frame, resulting in an empty frame hanging on the wall. I have thought of ways to progress with this further, an idea I had was to display a message or deforestation related text/poster behind the image as some sort of reveal. The poster would take the place of the original image. Each piece can stand alone as a singular artwork but displayed together creates a narrative and really drives my theme forward in a sense, what we as a society and as a planet are doing to our natural surroundings.
2. Identifiction pieces
I felt it natural to include the identification pieces created in ART723 to show the progression within my theme. These were created during the easter break, when i continued my placement within Thetford Forest for an extra week. Here, I reflected on my first week of placement, especially the days involving the processes of cataloguing and documenting the different species of trees. This reflection took form in many mixed media compositions. I developed a way of working in which captured the physical and textural elements of these trees. Developing an idea centered around the cataloguing and identification aspects of my placement. I began capturing the close up macro textures seen amongst the bark and roots of the subjects. These photographs were then used to create cyanotypes in which I later sketched and drew the tree in which the bark belonged too over the surface. I also experienced with spray paint in a way that reflected the marking process, undertaken during my placement. Red being marked for Oak Trees, Green used for Pine and Yellow used for Birch.
3. Cyanotype Wooden Pieced and Polaroid Pictures
4. Tree trunk/ stump installation with miniatures
I have continued with the idea of using miniatures within my work to engage the viewer and have an interactive piece/ installation. This took the form of several rotten tree stumps and trunks placed within a crime scene setting, i wanted to humanize the process of destroying and cutting down trees by making comparisons to a regular crime scene portrayed within the television etc. this took the form of using crime scene tape to frame the trunks and using miniatures on top to portray the investigation elements relating to a crime.
5. Deconstructing a Concertina booklet with miniatures
Adam
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