Odd Collages 2

Continuing my experiments with collage, I've created a series using photographs from my childhood that explore memory distortion (my fine art project). Some of them are particularly odd, though I feel the majority of them work and convey my idea well. I paired one photograph I cut up with others - all of this should be apparent, if not, whoops.

These ones are from my "forest collection" which are less scary than the ones I made from my photos of Disneyland. The one below is my most favourite, whether it works well as part of my art project I'm unsure.

Odd Collages

If you have seen my previous posts then you may be aware that I have been experimenting with collage involving my own photographs and images from magazines. I've also been toying with composition, textures, line and materials as a way to incorporate something different to them.

Though simple, I thought that this collage using two of my own photographs (from inside my bedroom window and my front door, both taken accidentally and a very long time ago) was effective in man different ways. I liked the colour combination the photos created together for one element, but I particularly liked the way I positioned the image of the door over the windows and in the centre. The torn effect almost looks like the door is being revealed through the image of the windows, yet this cannot be possible as in the photograph, there is nothing directly outside the window. I like how this plays with the dimensions in images and asks the mind to consider ways that this can or cannot be possible.

This was a spontaneous collage I created to experiment with a lack of colour and what would happen if I added a section of bold colour, in this case, the holographic gold card. I then tried to reflect the angles created in the images I had taken from magazines by outlining them spontaneously in graphite crayon and black marker pen.

Roy Lichtenstein

Today I attended the Roy Lichtenstein exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. I'm an avid believer that it can never be a bad thing to experience things you are unsure of or may not particularly enjoy (at least, when it comes to art any way) as I like to keep an open mind and don't "knock it" before I try whatever it is. "It" in this case, Lichtenstein's art, did not originally appeal to me as his graphic-like canvases are - in texture and technique - simpler than the art I tend to enjoy.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to see such a variety of his work displayed throughout the exhibition. Ceramics dotted in primary colour and glamorous brass sculptures - two things I was most definitely not expecting. And in addition to this, the size of the canvases he produced was just spectacular. 'Interior with Waterlilies' was particularly illuminating; it was such a large canvas and incredibly bright, I actually had to squint a little when I saw it.

Some of Lichtenstein's experimentation with brush strokes and line drawings were also displayed, which I loved instantly. Quite a few of his paintings resembled Cubism (Lichtenstein openly admired Picasso as an artist) which I was instantly drawn to. 'Reflections on Interior with a Girl Drawing' I liked especially, but was most disappointed when I couldn't find a postcard of it. 

Lichtenstein's black and white collection was rather interesting as the form of the compositions became prominent and I thought his take on Chinese art was lovely. 

I didn't think I would be as drawn into the exhibition as I was; needless to say, I am glad I went. Details on the exhibition here for anyone who might be interested.

Experimenting with Collage

As part of my Skills, Process and Technologies workshops I've been experimenting with collage involving images of my own and general ones from magazines that take my fancy. These three practises were taken from a collage I created of images from Elle magazine - the background in the original is plain white, but silly me has forgotten to take photographs of it.

I made many photo copies of my original collage in both colour and black and white and experimented with extra layers, textures, colours and changes to the background. In the first image I cut the entire collage away from paper and applied it to holographic green card. The lighting on the card changes when you view the collage from different angles, making it look as if it has been places on a moving screen. In the second image above, I experimented mainly with drawing and overlay of other collages. This one with in black and white.

In this third image, I cut out simple shapes from a magazine displaying pastel colours and then placed them over shapes previously created in the colour to manipulate its colour. I then highlighted these areas with gold pen.

Ink Studies

I haven't worked in quink ink in so long and I don't believe I realised how much I'd missed it. It's so much more fun to work in as it gives off quite a spontaneous and uncontrollable effect, which I happen to like. These pieces will be used for my fine art project.

Aces & Eights

My most recent outing was to the Aces & Eights in Tufnell Park in London. It's a great little saloon bar with collaged walls, red lighting and a music venue in the basement. I only stayed to watch Viaheart and Thousand Autumns play who were great as always, despite having their set cut short which was a real shame. But overall it was a good night.