Unit 12 Live Brief. Pintrest Board Link

Below, you can find a link to the Pinterest board for this project.

Link: https://uk.pinterest.com/hardman0340/mother-child-feminist-interpretation/

Unit 12: Live Brief. Definition of Mother & Child

My Interpretation of Mother & Child

To me, the concept of mother and child is one of negative based association. Now I'm not demoralizing the process of conception, production and raising offspring. But rather how it relates to me, as a woman. In an age where we-as a society-are becoming much more acceptable and open to new ideas and perspectives, then why is it that, as a member of the female sex, that society presumes that I will have children of my own before I fall to " reproductive expiration".

This still a subtle objectification, that a women's body/reproductive system, is nothing more, than an non-stop incubator or production line, with a glass of milk and two raw eggs floating in the liquid most associated with motherhood. Neatly perched on a side table, labelled "the female mind".

And when I say that "I don't want to have children" that statement, results in me being an immediate target of aggressive criticism, from those who have-or who are expecting. Noting that not everyone one, reacts in such an unpleasant manner, the tolerant and open amongst us, understand that not everyone-capable of carrying offspring-wants to have children-and more importantly-that is perfectly acceptable and absolutely okay.

I would like to remark that I am most defiantly not a "Social Justice Warrior" or the foul stereotype that a modern feminist is a creature that demands female superiority. Feminism-to me-is about wanting equal rights, representation and treatment. Both in-and out-of the art world. No double standards or discrimination.

Giving myself a chance to defend my statement and my gender, my reasons for not wanting children are that we already have an overpopulation issue on this planet of ours. When members of our race no longer become of any good use, we toss them aside, swiftly make some more and neglect to acknowledge the elder generation existence altogether. Also considering, that reproduction isn't compulsive-after all, we aren't going through a second Bubonic Plague(!)

Additional reasons such as my sexual orientation, personal experiences, exist, but I feel that those reasons are too personal to document to complete strangers, after all...I am a private and introverted individual. Just because we house milk and eggs, doesn't mean we want to bake.

Unit 12 Live Brief Artist Profile #1 Dame Barbara Hepworth

Dame Barbara Hepworth-1903-75


Involved in the moments of Direct Carving, Abstraction-Création, Constructivism and Modernist. I approve of this artists because she is one of the very few female individuals that was able to achieve international notability and status within the art world. And that achievement is  hugely significant, made more so, considering that the art field at a decade ago-and to some extend- was a hugely male dominated field with the recognition awards and status symbols being entitled to men. Now that achievement is not only encouraging to me as a female art student, but also to myself as a feminist based artist.

The subject matter of the piece featured below, is a mother and her child. I am given he impression that the subject matter was selected as an exploratory approach to the concept of motherhood. Hepworth has interpreted the concept in an abstract and distorted from. One would wish to infer that Hepworth contemplated on presenting motherhood in this format because the whole process of being a mother-from conception to birth-is a complex process which varies for each participating individual. The abstract shape of the sculpture could have reflections in the concept that motherhood is not a straightforward process.

The sculpture has been arranged on a marble base and positioned, on the left hand side. The piece has multiple curves and rounded soft edges-providing a resemblance to the curves a mother develops as she carries her child...she essentially becomes softer, with sharp and flat areas becoming fuller and rounder to cradle a developing foetus. The colours in this piece are of a neutral hue. Another potential nod to the process of the growing foetus-generally the sex of child isn't addressed, and hence referred to as a they, never a he nor she.

The materials used to create this work, were Cumberland alabaster and marble and the piece was produced using a sculptural practice known as direct carving. Direct carving is a process, in which no models or sculptural maquettes are used to plan the work, but rather the final form of the sculpture emerges through the act of carving the material.Through this technique, these artists emphasised the inherent properties of the materials, and the marble, stone and wood that they used was rubbed and polished in order to enhance its natural texture, colours and markings.

As this was a direct carving the only stages in the production of this work, were the larger piece was sculpted first and then the second smaller one was sculptured separately and placed at a later point. And I believe that she constructed this sculpture using carving tools.

When observing this work, one contemplates a sense of appreciation for mothers their children's. There is a quiet maternal feels about this sculpture, the aura of a gentle maternal nature, echoes off the sculpture, but doesn't present itself directly, in a graphic form of a uncomfortable nature. I would like to presume that this sculpture-would be suitable in a maternity ward or fertility clinic.

Mother & Child,1934 Cumberland alabaster on marble base

Unit 12 Live Brief. 27/11/2016

During this quiet Sunday afternoon, I constructed two A3 exploratory mind maps-the first being a breakdown of the various assessment criterion-and how I am to evidence an achievement of each these. The second mind was intended, to explore all-and any-thoughts and ideas that sprang to mind, about the theme of the project- which is simply; Mother & Child. Both mind maps were completed using colour pencil, highlighter for selection and direction biro pen.

 For the mind map regarding the theme, I applied as many perspectives a I could, looking at the different viewpoints, surrounding motherhood, pregnancy, and offspring. Some controversial and taboo-even in the 21st century, as well as positive and negatives contemplated. 

Miniature visuals were added to the first mind map-an element which I felt was most successful- as it gave the map amore creative feel. As the second map consisted of non-physical items-I felt that visual were not needed, at the information alone provided to be enough. Noting that the first mind was overlapped onto the back of the page, splitting its content into two separated parts.

Upon reflection, if I was to do either mind map again-I would choose to do the first mind map on an A2 sheet- as it turned out to be larger than expected.

Unit 10; The Natural World: Sketchbook Development #5

5/10/16
 

The final 4 leaves of the primary sketchbook were completed today:
 

A-the first two pages are exploratory developments, that were taken from primary research, that was obtained at Wigfield farm. The pieces developed were exploring concepts of texture at a macroscopically zoomed level. In order to create both the pages, I took texture that were the closest in both colour and feel to the originals, and presented the texture sources in an abstract manner.  One of the very best elements, across these two pages is how close in hair consistency, the black faux fur sample on the left hand side of the right page eyes. From completing these pages, I have discovered that texture is often so much easier to capture in your own work, when one uses a material source that is a close as possible to the original. using  these materials has given these pieces, a much more authentic feel.

B/C/D-the next four pages cover pieces that explore visual sources from several perspectives. Both near and far. The pieces were made an exploration of the aquatic side of the living organisms, found within the natural world. These pieces were made, by drawing from images collected. These pieces were completed using just a hard pencil, ink pen, water, collaged tissue paper, ink, brown paper and colour pencil on the right hand side.  For the piece on the right hand side, I used tissue paper because I was intending on best replicating the mergence of hues of blue, green and white, that are found within tropical aquatic waters. Out of all four pages, I feel that piece with the tissue paper on, was the most successful. The less successful pages could be improved by either adding or taking away certain elements.

Unit 10; The Natural World: Sketchbook Development #4

4/10/16
The fourth set of 4 leaves of the primary sketchbook were completed today:
 
A/B/C-For the first 5 sketchbook pages-and the page that is that is on the right hand side of the final two. These are all drawings and sketches developed from gathered primary research. These pieces were completed with the purpose of developing ideas surrounding the fauna based side of the natural world. These pieces were completed using pencil, biro pen, a chunky graphite stick, and pencils of varying gradients. Out of all these pages, I feel that the first two were the most successful-as both pieces were quick sketches, and evidence strongly, that my capability's of drawing quickly are evolving and developing rapidly.

For the sketchbook page number 4, the piece was collection of visual research, collected from a trip to Wigfield Farm.  This page was created by organising leftover primary research images-and applying it using a stick adhesive. The layout of this collaged page, is one that I am pleased with. The page feel energetic, busy and vivid. I could improve this page by collecting and adding more content. From completing this page,  I have obtained a more varied approach and perspective to the living side of the natural world.

D-For the final two sketchbook page on the left hand side-this piece was also completed with the purpose of exploring the animal orientated side of the natural world. From a textured perspective. The piece was created using, ink pen, biro and feathers that resembled the original owners, as closely as was possible. The best feature of this work was how the owl feather colours and soft texture was replicated in my own production.

Unit 10; The Natural World: Sketchbook Development #2

2/10/16

The seconds set of 5 leaves, of the primary sketchbook were completed today:

A/B/C/D/E-. 1-7are drawings that have been developed from primary research. The drawings were completed using colour pencil, 9B graphite stick, bio and pencil,  These pieces were completed to examine line, shape and colour. The pieces that I feel were the most successful were 5 and 6-created using a chunky graphite stick and small areas of brio-I feel that these pieces were visibly pleasing and I thoroughly enjoyed the production/creation of them both. For the other five pieces, I feel that I could improve these by spending more time on each and adding more in terms of shading.

The 8th page and the right hand side of the last two pages are a series of primary photographs, taken form the Liverpool Museum, and are of a mixture of shells, fossils and skulls. I made this college to get me thinking about various elements of the natural world that I hadn't considered prior to the trip. This page was created by organising leftover primary research images-and applying it using a stick adhesive. The layout of this collaged page, is one that I am pleased with. The page feel energetic, busy and vivid. I could improve these two pages by collecting and adding more content. From these two pages, I have obtained a more varied understanding of the natural world.

Unit 10; The Natural World: Sketchbook Development #3

3/10/16

The third set of 5 leaves of the primary sketchbook were completed today:
A-This is a series of primary photographs, taken form the Liverpool Museum, and are of a mixture of shells, fossils and skulls. I made this college to  get me thinking about various elements of the natural world that I hadn't considered prior to the trip. These pages were created by organising leftover primary research images-and applying to the pages, in a neat and orderly fashion. The layout of these collaged pages, is one that I am pleased with. These two pages feel busy and varied. I could improve these two pages by collecting and adding more content. From these two pages, I have obtained a more varied understanding of the natural world.

B- Across these two pages are developed pieces from gathered primary research. These pieces were completed to examine the texture, and shape of the original content. The left hand piece was created using black collaged paper for the background, and brown paper, a dried seed segment and two different types of thread to create a raised relief piece. The right hand side image, was created using Zen tangle style patterns. I am very pleased  with the way that both of these pieces turned out, and I feel that the outcome found in the left piece has the more successful elements. From completing these pieces I have found that I have a better understanding of where I want to go in the project.


C/D/E-On these four pages are images of gathered primary research, that explore the natural world. The reason for completing these four pieces was to improve my skills in quick 10 minutes, line sketches using pen and cross hatching techniques. These pieces were made using biro, pencil and colour. I am very pleased with the way these pieces turned out-considering I spent so little time upon them-after these pages I feel that I have improved in my quick gestural drawing skills A process in which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Unit 10; The Natural World: Sketchbook Development #1

1/10/16

The first 5 leaves of the primary sketchbook were completed today:

A- These pages are a series of primary photographs, taken from the Liverpool Museum, and are of a mixture of shells, fossils and skulls. I made this college to  get me thinking about various elements of the natural world that I hadn't considered prior to the trip. These pages were created by organising leftover primary research images-and applying to the pages, in a neat and orderly fashion. The layout of these collaged pages, is one that I am not so content with. A someone who prefers colleges to be overlapping and busy, these two pages feel sterile and empty. I could improve these two pages by collecting and adding more content. From these two pages, I have a better idea of how to interpret the natural world.

B- On these next two pages are pieces, that explore line and contrasting colour. These two sketchbook pages were completed using contrasting colour pencil, black ink pens and white, metallic marker. The right hand piece was completed on black paper. I am very pleased with the way that these two pieces turned out, and the best of these two works, was the right hand side page, because of the contrast between the background and foreground. And the media used, is visually outstanding on the black background.

C/D-On these next four pages are sketches of gathered primary research. These four pages were completed as a method of developing my skills in quick 10 minutes, continuous line sketches using pen and cross hatching techniques. These pieces were made using biro, pencil and ink pen. In terms of the outcome, I am very pleased with the way these pieces turned out-considering I spent so little time upon them-after these pages I feel that I have improved in my quick gestural drawing skills.

E-On these two pages are quick gestural sketches, that explore shells and bones. The reason for completing these two pieces was to examine the line found in both images. The left hand side was completed using collaged newspaper, and the left was a simple 2 minute sketch using ink pen. I am very pleased with the way these pieces turned out-considering I spent so little time upon these page and the I feel that I have improved in my quick gestural drawing skills and collaging ability.