Obscure
Inspired by Sandra Chevrier’s variation with colourisation and the stereotypes surrounding men, this piece aimed to communicate the pessimistic effects of the stereotypical expectations of masculinity to hide and conceal emotions; resulting in the lack of colour and emotions. In addition, the rough texture of the background and smooth texture of the subject concentrated on the bleakness as a result of the covering up of emotions.
Influence from Sandra Chevrier
Sandra Chevrier’s play with comic characters and female portraits seems highly appealing due to the demonstration of male dominance in comics and stories. However, more importantly, her implementation of different colours, weaving a grayscale and colourful scale into her work was greatly inspiring.
The Four Elements
Made out of glass bottles, tissue papers and organic dahl seeds this sculpture represent the four elements. The natural seeds further aim to reiterate nature and the environmental aspects of the elements. The patterns were made mimicking the patterns native patterns present when showcasing the elements: fire, water, wind and earth. More importantly, the black paint present at the bottom of each bottle aim to showcase a sense of destruction of these elements due to civilization and mankind.
Development and planning
The 8th Deadly Sin: Ignorance
The 8th Deadly Sin: Ignorance, was an additional piece to the whole biblical concept of the 7 Deadly Sins. Primarily, these abstract concepts of the sins were humanized with female portraits to emphasise the reality of these sins; where they can be found in everyday lives. My focus was on this idea due to the personal interest in the consequences of ignorance. Ignorance can lead to the close-mindedness of a person and the lack of innovative perspectives which were highly concerning. Therefore, in order to demonstrate the negative impact of ignorance, this pen illustration portrayed ignorance as a deadly sin.
Influence from Vince Low
Vince Low’s unique, distinctive and expressive style was highly inspiring due to the originality behind it. Moreover, his expressive style also communicated and reflected upon a story of Vince Low himself; his dyslexia. Therefore, Vince Low was a key inspiration due to free use of pen to liberally exaggerate his pieces.
Experimenting and developing with Vince Low's style
Consequences of Ignorance
This sculpture incorporated a variety of media: wires, mod-rock, plastic, cardboard and paint. The bottom of the cage used cardboard in order to provide a strong balance and base to support the whole structure. Weaving wires together, the whole cage was then constructed with mod-rock being pasted around the wires to strengthen and increase stability of the cage. The eyeballs inside, made out of plastic and wrapped with mod-rock, intended to demonstrate the effect of ignorance. Ignorance can lead to an individual pretending not to see or believe something, thus trapping their sight.
Experimenting with Donna Adi's style
Donna Adi, an artist who merges everyday pictures with cartoonist styles and aspects, was highly inspirational as it showcased a way to enhance and spotlight a simple photograph. I had digitally incorporated designs and drawings onto a picture of a friend, taking personal influence from the Chinese environment that I live in.
Modern Durga
Tanjore painting is a traditional form of Indian artwork that requires a series of methodical processes: making the surface board, arranging temple stones, applying thick chalk paste, applying gold sheets and forming a pattern with gold. My intention was to subvert the traditional colourisation of this artwork into my own personal modern colours.
Medusa?
This abstract acrylic piece questioned the concept of what an audience might already know, thus targets to provide a different perspective. Medusa is merely known for ugliness and bestiality, yet one might forget that she was indeed considered extremely beautiful before. Therefore, through the abstractness and vibrant colours I hoped to depict a different perception to Medusa, resulting in the normal conventional representation of her absent.
Influence from Thomas Saliot
Thomas Saliot’s style of painting appeared very fluid and free, with little restraint. Moreover, his pieces are neither surrealistic nor animated, evoking a feeling of awe. Therefore, his style was highly fascinating due to its originality. Furthermore, by mimicking some of his own pieces with acrylic paint and graphite, I was also able to try and mimic his style of painting.
Experimenting with Thomas Saliot's focus on portraits
Thomas Saliot primarily focuses on people and portraits of them, therefore, in order to take it further, I tried sketching an old grandma with graphite 10B and 8B pencil. Particularly, the emotion of pain was something I had hoped to capture through this development.
Influence from Ian Murphy
Developing on Ian Murphy's focus on landscapes and his environment
Taking inspiration from the fact that Ian Murphy particularly uses pen or pencil to sketch his environment and surroundings, I also used pen to sketch the Shanghai skyline that I have grown accustomed to living here.
Merging Thomas Saliot's style with Ian Murphy's focus on his surroundings
In attempt to further explore styles, I tried to merge Thomas Saliot's painting style and Ian Murphy's focus on environment and landscape to create an acrylic painting on plastic. The new surface, plastic, was incorporated for experimental reasons.
Model house inspired by the architect Meier
This piece made from styrofoam and mosaic tiles was inspired by the modern architect Meier who primarily incorporates white into his pieces which separates the background setting and the structure apart. In addition, this separation demonstrates a level of authenticity and modernity due to excess use of glass windows and shapes.
The Battle against Stereotypes
Taking inspiration from the concept of stereotypes in society, this digital drawing implements a stark contrast between the female subject in the magazine to the expectations of her. Magazines and fashion covers suggest a strong idea of female beauty and emphasise the importance of physical appearance, ignoring the true character or personal ambitions of women. Thus, this piece aims to demonstrate the ignorance of the subject to these stereotypical expectations of women.
Year : 2058
This acrylic painting was inspired by my environment: Shanghai. Air pollution is a significant environmental issue living in China which has had a definitive impact on our lives. Therefore, I aimed to portray the magnified possibility of what could and may happen when we simply ignore this problem. Wearing gas masks to breathe may become the new norm in the future.
Influence from Vivienne Westwood
Developing and exploring my own Indian culture with Vivienne Westwood's focus on fashion
Inspired by Vivienne Westwood's unique designs, I intended to experiment with my own cultural Indian designs using colour pencils. The traditional Indian fashions of sarees and lehengas was mixed with a subtle sense of modernity with the untraditional design and the unique way to wear the golden shawl.
