PROPOSAL

Advanced Studio Practice - Project Proposal

For my final major project I will be exploring themes of abandonment and loss. This theme is linked to my own recent bereavement and struggles loss in many shapes and forms. This will be a continuation from my last project  - ‘Rock Bottom’- which focused on themes of duality and irony in mental health. I intend to continue this line of enquiry, once again creating a piece that has layered context.

I aspire to create signage. I will experiment with traditional methods of fabricating signage with wood, metal, and plastic. It is my intention to create highly professional signage that blends my affinity to vintage Americana influences with modern language and methods of design. I intend to show this work at our Final Exhibition in June.

I would like to pay tribute to my Uncle, who recently passed away, in my work. He was a talented graffiti writer, who travelled the world creating his art. In homage to him, I will explore the roots and history of graffiti. I am influenced by artists who blend urban street art with contemporary fine art such as Trevor Wheatley. He creates huge, fabricated signage installations, both commercially and in his own private practice. With his own roots as a graffiti artist, the work has heavy urban influences.

Graffiti is synonymous with abandonment, in particular abandoned buildings. We often see graffiti in urban areas, specifically unkempt, desolate spaces where no one cares enough to remove the art work. Graffiti itself is a particularly contentious art form due to it’s illegality. Though legal graffiti spots exist, many graffiti writers use a pseudonym to hide their identity and avoid brushes with the law. The thrill of illegality, trespass and anonymity has driven graffiti artists such as Banksy to notoriety.

I envisage my work in an abandoned and desolate setting, connecting the contextual meaning with a tangible sense of abandonment. It is my intention to take photographs of the sign within this environment and show prints alongside the sign itself. This allows me to underpin my work with a purpose, rather than just as a show piece.

I will explore Kitsch – a form of ‘low art’ which has been re-appropriated by contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons. Creating opulent (and sometimes ridiculous) work which points a mirror at society’s materialistic tendencies. Extravagant, flamboyant wares that hold little meaning yet cost unbelievable amounts of money.

I propose to create colourful, sickly-sweet, highly stylised work that deals with heavy themes based in trauma and loss. Creating my work this way allows me to discuss personal issues from behind a mask, without the discomfort of speaking directly. I will use my aesthetic and humour to draw the audience in and surprise them with the sadness behind the surface, should they connect to it.

I will evaluate my work constantly throughout the process, via my blog and peer reviews.