Tuesday 24 May 2011

A Mess of Galactic Proportions

It's the last week of my degree this week. My assessment is next Tuesday and then the Degree Shows open on the 10th of June! I'm not feeling as terrified as I know I should because it really hasn't sunk in yet... I just feel a bit excited about the adventure! I'm prepared for that excitment to be swiped from my grasp by reality any time soon now.
Now, I haven't posted you up much work recently have I? The reason being that I decided I'd like for it to remain a surprise until the show opens!
But, I'll let you in on the mess of sorting out the studios if you like?




It's getting slightly less hectic in this place by the minute, thankfully. Can't wait to see everyone's work up and running! Right, it's time for me to go home now. I've got so much to do - I've given up any hope of the chance of sleep for the next seven days!
xox

Friday 6 May 2011

Not Just Anybody.

The costume that I'm currently working on is based around the idea of exhibitionism. And so, I've focussed on underwear and 'reveal' without focussing on the body at all - the body is absent but it is what the clothes suggest that is present... But I'm not really sure how it's all going. I, personally like it very much. But I'd like to know what this piece says to you (so far anyway):


I've printed this paper with cellulose transfers of monoprints and felt tip pen drawings of underwear, and I'm planning on making a trench coat with it - I have a fair few meters of it so I've got enough. I think it'll be really good to make something that has sleeves so that I can add some personality and gestures in to the costume.


I've also been working on making the underwear to go under the coat. What I've been working on is really bright and colourful - reflective of the circus. I thought that this was a really good connection to exhibitionism as that is basically what the circus is!



And what I've made is this:





Obviously I still have a fair bit to do on it yet. I like how outrageous and colourful it is. I'm considering adding text to the paper I've printed, and cellulose transfers to the circles.
What do you think so far? Any feedback would be really nice - thank you
xox

Tigers Play Too Rough.

I finished the dress that I showe you a snap of in the last post... Here are some pictures of that:




The cut out on the back says 'But, right now I don't feel empowered at all'. As I said, the dress is about hiding how you feel with a certain amount of bravado. I think that it's much more successful than the others I've done so far, and my tutor liked it as well which is always a good thing! So, I'm definitely moving in the right direction now. There's just a lot of work I need to get through to achieve what I want to achieve... I feel like a machine!
Right, I need to dash for a bus, but I have some more stuff to post up for you later - I need your opinion on it in actual fact!
Bye for now
xox

Sunday 1 May 2011

Paper Crazy.

I'm so sorry that I haven't really posted anything for absolutely ages! I've had a bit of a break over the Easter weekend, as it was my 21st birthday as well, so I felt I should have a few days off! But now, it's all systems go again to prpare for the degree show! As I said a few posts ago, I'm working with paper now. For me, it feels like a much more natural progression from my 2D work. It's a really rewarding and satisfying way to work as well, as I can make costumes in the same way as I make my monoprints and transfers, and really turn them out quickly but effectively - which is how I like to work. In fact, I've been using mono printing and cellulose-ing in abundance for the costumes. I feel very positive about my work now, I just need to keep pushing it and make really exciting pieces. I've also been told that I need to silence the voice that tells me when I need to stop!
Here's some stuff I've made so far:

This is the dress that is closest to completion. It's meant to be representative of the proovocative/erotic side of a person, but both myself and my tutor don't really think it's quite there yet. For my tutor, I think it's mainly because there's so many more shocking things within art that this doesn't even come close. And for me, I don't think that it's raw enough.

I'm considering wearing the plain strapless dress to the opening night of the degree show. If I can be brave enough!


Since deciding to work with paper, I instantly started to make Fortune Tellers (do you remember those from school?). At first they were just something to do whilst I was thinking, but now they've taken on a meaning of their own. With leaving uni and trying to get in to the real world fast approaching, I've been thinking loads about the future and how it's both exciting and scary. So, I'm making lots and lots of Fortune Tellers and they're going to be an element of the final dress I make:


This is the dress I'm working on right now (I'm just waiting for some glue to dry):
It's about putting on a front, and having a attitude that completely betrays how you feel inside.


I have a group tutorial on Wednesday. I want to have this dress and at least one more finished by then - I'll keep you posted. I hope everyone's had a wonderful Easter! There's been so many bank holidays it's been great! And the Royal Wedding was so lovely.
Talk to you soon!
xox