Deb Jacobson
"Substance" (2012)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/2/8/13281036/8610696.jpg?421)
Too often we forget to stop and look at intrinsic beauty in everyday life. Single, simple pieces of nature are works of art in themselves.
When we busy ourselves with our own definition of important, we strip colour from our lives. ‘Substance’ is an opportunity to consciously choose to see colour and beauty in small items that are ‘nature’s art.’
As a photographer of nature for many years, I have been fortunate enough to capture beauty in my own yard. The shape, line, texture and especially colour are all captured in a timeless moment. It was then with excitement after research into photographer John Rendell that I began to explore monochromatic tones in my images. This prompted me to begin stripping colour altogether to reveal silhouettes of once colourful subjects.The subjects took on a new beauty as shape became the focal point.
Ignited by discovery my research took me on a vivid quest for colour replacement with the exploration of techniques involving mono-printing, paint banks and heat as a catalyst using oil pastels, chalks, inks and acrylics.
As many recycled products including a repurposed book are used in this piece it may be classed as green art, however there is much symbolism in action to fulfil the artist’s intention. The book cover was initially washed in magenta (colour of love) and covered liberally in beige then white. The sanded edges show the love trying to break through a colourless exterior. The book itself is painted tinted beige to reflect the artist’s workroom and the colour is mixed directly on each page as Shaun Wake-Mazey does on his large canvasses. Each colour palette symbolises colours in nature as no one colour is in block form. As you progress through the repurposed book, you may see snippets of the pages to come as you would view nature whilst walking through a garden.
The intention of this artwork is to suspend the viewer from their busy lifestyle and pause for a moment to place colour palettes behind a silhouette of their choice and recognise the extraordinary beauty of nature. In effect they are choosing to put colour back into their lives. With a growing population and diminishing vegetation, the purpose of this piece is to alert people to the natural beauty in our local area, specifically our own yard.
In essence this interactive piece of art showcases shapes in nature that are all too often overlooked and highlights colour we can consciously choose to include in our everyday life.
We are the reflection of what we see, what we love and how we treasure.
When we busy ourselves with our own definition of important, we strip colour from our lives. ‘Substance’ is an opportunity to consciously choose to see colour and beauty in small items that are ‘nature’s art.’
As a photographer of nature for many years, I have been fortunate enough to capture beauty in my own yard. The shape, line, texture and especially colour are all captured in a timeless moment. It was then with excitement after research into photographer John Rendell that I began to explore monochromatic tones in my images. This prompted me to begin stripping colour altogether to reveal silhouettes of once colourful subjects.The subjects took on a new beauty as shape became the focal point.
Ignited by discovery my research took me on a vivid quest for colour replacement with the exploration of techniques involving mono-printing, paint banks and heat as a catalyst using oil pastels, chalks, inks and acrylics.
As many recycled products including a repurposed book are used in this piece it may be classed as green art, however there is much symbolism in action to fulfil the artist’s intention. The book cover was initially washed in magenta (colour of love) and covered liberally in beige then white. The sanded edges show the love trying to break through a colourless exterior. The book itself is painted tinted beige to reflect the artist’s workroom and the colour is mixed directly on each page as Shaun Wake-Mazey does on his large canvasses. Each colour palette symbolises colours in nature as no one colour is in block form. As you progress through the repurposed book, you may see snippets of the pages to come as you would view nature whilst walking through a garden.
The intention of this artwork is to suspend the viewer from their busy lifestyle and pause for a moment to place colour palettes behind a silhouette of their choice and recognise the extraordinary beauty of nature. In effect they are choosing to put colour back into their lives. With a growing population and diminishing vegetation, the purpose of this piece is to alert people to the natural beauty in our local area, specifically our own yard.
In essence this interactive piece of art showcases shapes in nature that are all too often overlooked and highlights colour we can consciously choose to include in our everyday life.
We are the reflection of what we see, what we love and how we treasure.
The art piece 'Substance' was inspired and influenced by the following artists. The slide show also elaborates on the process.
Jo Larsen
"Juggling Act" (2012)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/2/8/13281036/2563790.jpg?428)
Juggling Act
By Joanne Larsen
“Juggling Act’ has been created to convey work life balance in everyday life using symbolism. The piece was created using mixed media elements and printmaking techniques. Images were selected to symbolize work, life and balance. The intent of the selected colours is to represent each stage in an expressive design. The images were created on print making foam then pressed onto paper, the paper is then peeled off and a reflective image is revealed, cardboard corrugated edging was used to frame the entire piece bringing the whole works together.
The influences of this piece have come from the great Pablo Picasso, Australian artist Heather Shimmen, and Km Laurel, all print artists and innovative. Although their art styles were different they all used linocut techniques to create some of their print work. Heather Shimmen was hugely influenced by environmental issues, as am I as a result I felt this should be incorporated into the final piece of artwork in a meaningful way.
The elements in this piece are rhythm, shape, subject, printmaking, symbolism, theme and unity. The first set of images in red represent work, the colour red was deliberately chosen to signify how complicated and conflicting work can be in our lives. The two images chosen in the life set were carefully selected to symbolize paid work and why we do it, the first image of a clock is to symbolize how time poor we are in society today and how time restraints dictate the terms of our choices within the workforce. The second image in the red work set is of a bag of money, this is to symbolize why we work, we all work for money whether we like it or not and money underpins our choices in life. The second set of images are in gold, a precious metal just as life is precious, gold has been selected to represent this. The images within the second set symbolize what life means. The first image is of a family, this image was selected to symbolize what life means to me, family is life for me, it is what keeps me motivated and grounded. The tree is symbolic of life itself and the base of the tree represents us putting roots down in our lives. Finally the last set of images in white are balance, these images are in white as white is a spiritual colour, when we make conscious decisions in our lives to ensure balance is present these choices are soulful choices. We make these choices consciously and sometimes unconsciously and are the most pure therefore white was the best colour to symbolize balance in our lives. The newspaper background was selected for two reasons, the first is that it was important to me to include an environmental recycling aspect to the piece as the environment is very important to me and the second reason is because newspapers are full of life stories and complexities, it symbolizes the overarching background of society in work life balance. The intent of the gold framing around the piece was depicting this artifact as a socially acceptable piece of work just as society dictates. And finally the Black card background was selected as the complete absortion of light symbolizing how all life choices are made in the dark, the unknown.
The rhythm of “Juggling act” has been designed to create repetition within the final piece to indicate each phase weather it be work, life or balance contributes equally to our final choices, this is demonstrated through each symbolic image being presented on exactly the same size rectangular shape. The shape element of the images is to communicate its meaning of equality. Each subject and theme has been carefully selected to be easily recognizable and understood; communicating what work life balance is in society and to myself.
The artwork demonstrates unity by the golden frame around all sets of images bringing the whole piece together forming a relationship among all the elements of Juggling act.
This piece has been created using a range of materials some of which include, print foam, acrylic paint, newspaper and black card. The process of this art work began with the investigation of what work life balance is and what is means to me. I researched several known printmaking artist one historical Pablo Picasso, one Australian Heather Shimmel these artist became my focus and inspired me to create this final piece. It moved to other alternatives to linocut printmaking which lead me to foam printmaking allowing me the freedom to create a piece of work that can be transferred into the four walls of the classroom with no limitations.
The endeavor of this artwork is to create a tangible piece of work that symbolizes “work life balance” in a meaningful way using a variety of methods and techniques that compliment the world of art and printmaking. Creating reachable art for the masses, whilst communicating the message of work life balance as a constant juggling act.
References
Laurel, K. (2007). Official Kim Laurel Site. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.kimlaurel.com/index.html
Heather Shimmen. (n.d.). Australian Galleries - Home. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://www.australiangalleries.com.au/artists/9-artists/163-heathershimmen
Pablo Picasso - Picasso's paintings,biography,quotes,sculptures. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pablopicasso.org/
By Joanne Larsen
“Juggling Act’ has been created to convey work life balance in everyday life using symbolism. The piece was created using mixed media elements and printmaking techniques. Images were selected to symbolize work, life and balance. The intent of the selected colours is to represent each stage in an expressive design. The images were created on print making foam then pressed onto paper, the paper is then peeled off and a reflective image is revealed, cardboard corrugated edging was used to frame the entire piece bringing the whole works together.
The influences of this piece have come from the great Pablo Picasso, Australian artist Heather Shimmen, and Km Laurel, all print artists and innovative. Although their art styles were different they all used linocut techniques to create some of their print work. Heather Shimmen was hugely influenced by environmental issues, as am I as a result I felt this should be incorporated into the final piece of artwork in a meaningful way.
The elements in this piece are rhythm, shape, subject, printmaking, symbolism, theme and unity. The first set of images in red represent work, the colour red was deliberately chosen to signify how complicated and conflicting work can be in our lives. The two images chosen in the life set were carefully selected to symbolize paid work and why we do it, the first image of a clock is to symbolize how time poor we are in society today and how time restraints dictate the terms of our choices within the workforce. The second image in the red work set is of a bag of money, this is to symbolize why we work, we all work for money whether we like it or not and money underpins our choices in life. The second set of images are in gold, a precious metal just as life is precious, gold has been selected to represent this. The images within the second set symbolize what life means. The first image is of a family, this image was selected to symbolize what life means to me, family is life for me, it is what keeps me motivated and grounded. The tree is symbolic of life itself and the base of the tree represents us putting roots down in our lives. Finally the last set of images in white are balance, these images are in white as white is a spiritual colour, when we make conscious decisions in our lives to ensure balance is present these choices are soulful choices. We make these choices consciously and sometimes unconsciously and are the most pure therefore white was the best colour to symbolize balance in our lives. The newspaper background was selected for two reasons, the first is that it was important to me to include an environmental recycling aspect to the piece as the environment is very important to me and the second reason is because newspapers are full of life stories and complexities, it symbolizes the overarching background of society in work life balance. The intent of the gold framing around the piece was depicting this artifact as a socially acceptable piece of work just as society dictates. And finally the Black card background was selected as the complete absortion of light symbolizing how all life choices are made in the dark, the unknown.
The rhythm of “Juggling act” has been designed to create repetition within the final piece to indicate each phase weather it be work, life or balance contributes equally to our final choices, this is demonstrated through each symbolic image being presented on exactly the same size rectangular shape. The shape element of the images is to communicate its meaning of equality. Each subject and theme has been carefully selected to be easily recognizable and understood; communicating what work life balance is in society and to myself.
The artwork demonstrates unity by the golden frame around all sets of images bringing the whole piece together forming a relationship among all the elements of Juggling act.
This piece has been created using a range of materials some of which include, print foam, acrylic paint, newspaper and black card. The process of this art work began with the investigation of what work life balance is and what is means to me. I researched several known printmaking artist one historical Pablo Picasso, one Australian Heather Shimmel these artist became my focus and inspired me to create this final piece. It moved to other alternatives to linocut printmaking which lead me to foam printmaking allowing me the freedom to create a piece of work that can be transferred into the four walls of the classroom with no limitations.
The endeavor of this artwork is to create a tangible piece of work that symbolizes “work life balance” in a meaningful way using a variety of methods and techniques that compliment the world of art and printmaking. Creating reachable art for the masses, whilst communicating the message of work life balance as a constant juggling act.
References
Laurel, K. (2007). Official Kim Laurel Site. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.kimlaurel.com/index.html
Heather Shimmen. (n.d.). Australian Galleries - Home. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://www.australiangalleries.com.au/artists/9-artists/163-heathershimmen
Pablo Picasso - Picasso's paintings,biography,quotes,sculptures. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pablopicasso.org/
Kat Howat
"S.A.D" (2012)
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/2/8/13281036/8873913.jpg?404)
S.A.D (Suicide and Depression) was created to raise awareness of youth suicide and depression that exists within our society. The intent of this piece was to depict the troubled youth with their internal struggle which is sometimes increased with the influence of drugs and alcohol. The song lyrics in the thought bubbles express feelings of desire to be appreciated, to love others but the inability to love themselves and the desperate feeling of the need to end their existence. The abstract cube drawing shows a narrow side of brightly coloured blocks appearing to move in the same way as opposed to the other, wider side of cubes at very different points with unique shadings of darker colours, some without any appearance of movement and some moving in different directions to the others. This drawing represents society as a whole. A minority of what appears to be happy people, looking and moving the same, nothing really unique and then a larger group of individuals that aren't as happy, move and look different to the other side and these groups have a definite lifestyle division between them. The wire, media and overall cage effect represents the overwhelming effect that society has on youth with depression whilst there are small holes that have been established in order to seek youth out to provide a lifeline of assistance.
Influences for this piece have come from several art movements spanning a large period of time. DADA inspired the collage, construction style of this piece and using everyday items. Decoupage and paper tole has been used to provide a more three dimensional appearance of the youth behind the wire. This style originated from metal smiths that punched patterns into iron or metal to decorate them. Although this piece could be viewed as having quite a dark message, Pop Art style impacts this piece with the bright colours and the use of popular, everyday media pieces.
Shape and texture at the main elements that exist in this work. This piece is heavily textured with the wires for the lights, twist ties, chicken or bird wire, the media paper, aluminium foil and the light switches. The shape resembles an actual cage, rectangular in shape. It encourages people to look in through the two holes of the item and find something that may be very confronting for viewers. This is the main metaphor behind the art work. People and society in general needs to take a closer look beneath the everyday items and through the holes in the lives of youth to find those who need help getting out of their caged thoughts and feelings.
The construction of this item required many different materials; wire, lights, paint, PVA glue, twist ties, glossy news magazine, aluminium foil, photocopying, charcoal drawings, alcohol bottle, herbal tablets, hairspray, hot glue gun, chalk pastels, cartridge paper, computer, printer, internet and a canvas. Whilst this seems to be an extraordinary list of products it wasn't the aim of the project to use that many items. The process of creating the three dimensional youth with paper tole required several photocopies of the image I had practiced drawing through my research. Using the hot glue gun and different combinations of layers of foam pads the areas of the image were built up. PVA watered down provided a good medium to cover the printed clouds for thought of the youth. It adhered the items to the canvas as well as coating them for protection. The alcohol bottle and tablets were hot glue gunned to the main thought cloud after the tablets were sprayed with hairspray to prevent deterioration. The aluminium foil provided a visual barrier but also a reflective surface for the light to illuminate the internal areas of the work. It was difficult working with the chicken wire due to the sharp edges and tools required, however it provided a great frame and stability to piece.
The dominant factor of the art work may be the cage and the exterior elements however it is equally about how the youth portrayed beneath all of the media and wire feel about coming from the inside out about their condition and their struggles. November is known for its fundraising for 'Movember'; male cancer charity event supported by Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue has a branch called Youth Beyond Blue supporting youth members of the community dealing with depression and suicide. I chose to create this piece because the topic resonates with me on a personal level and I wanted to contribute to awareness of youth suicide and depression.
Influences for this piece have come from several art movements spanning a large period of time. DADA inspired the collage, construction style of this piece and using everyday items. Decoupage and paper tole has been used to provide a more three dimensional appearance of the youth behind the wire. This style originated from metal smiths that punched patterns into iron or metal to decorate them. Although this piece could be viewed as having quite a dark message, Pop Art style impacts this piece with the bright colours and the use of popular, everyday media pieces.
Shape and texture at the main elements that exist in this work. This piece is heavily textured with the wires for the lights, twist ties, chicken or bird wire, the media paper, aluminium foil and the light switches. The shape resembles an actual cage, rectangular in shape. It encourages people to look in through the two holes of the item and find something that may be very confronting for viewers. This is the main metaphor behind the art work. People and society in general needs to take a closer look beneath the everyday items and through the holes in the lives of youth to find those who need help getting out of their caged thoughts and feelings.
The construction of this item required many different materials; wire, lights, paint, PVA glue, twist ties, glossy news magazine, aluminium foil, photocopying, charcoal drawings, alcohol bottle, herbal tablets, hairspray, hot glue gun, chalk pastels, cartridge paper, computer, printer, internet and a canvas. Whilst this seems to be an extraordinary list of products it wasn't the aim of the project to use that many items. The process of creating the three dimensional youth with paper tole required several photocopies of the image I had practiced drawing through my research. Using the hot glue gun and different combinations of layers of foam pads the areas of the image were built up. PVA watered down provided a good medium to cover the printed clouds for thought of the youth. It adhered the items to the canvas as well as coating them for protection. The alcohol bottle and tablets were hot glue gunned to the main thought cloud after the tablets were sprayed with hairspray to prevent deterioration. The aluminium foil provided a visual barrier but also a reflective surface for the light to illuminate the internal areas of the work. It was difficult working with the chicken wire due to the sharp edges and tools required, however it provided a great frame and stability to piece.
The dominant factor of the art work may be the cage and the exterior elements however it is equally about how the youth portrayed beneath all of the media and wire feel about coming from the inside out about their condition and their struggles. November is known for its fundraising for 'Movember'; male cancer charity event supported by Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue has a branch called Youth Beyond Blue supporting youth members of the community dealing with depression and suicide. I chose to create this piece because the topic resonates with me on a personal level and I wanted to contribute to awareness of youth suicide and depression.