Week 1 (Space)
Brief: Make 4 artworks/ experiments. Artwork 1; measure the space. Artwork 2 Make something to fit in the space. Artwork 3; create a place. Artwork 4; make a view of the space from the outside.
Initially I started constructing a small space to fit a figurine I am in the process of making of myself. This will cover the first two parts of the brief (i.e. measuring the space and then making something to fit in the space). I will construct a room made od wallpaper and skirting boards but also with a small chair that the figure is much to large to fit in.
For the artworks 3 and 4 I will create the same kind of space only larger so that my own body can fit inside it. This will be set up in my hom studio for easy access at all hours. with the aid of my friends i will replicate the small figure I have made in my own image- taking up a space that is much too small for my body.
Overall I hope to have a small room with a model of my body accompanied by some lens work of my own body in the same crumpled position- taking up too much space.
“Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while.”
Initially I wanted to make my figure out of clay as ceramics is where I am based and the material that I am most comfortable working with. However, as there is no clay available in the studios this option was quickly ruled out. I have decided to attempt making the figure out of air dry clay as I can sand it and smooth it out to give the effect I hope to have which is smooth with emphasis on the folded crumpled nature of the body.
Planning.
To start this project i composed a space from cardboard.
I wanted the space to be large enough that all of the details could be seen but small enough that there would be a sense that the figure was crammed in the space. I wish for there to be a claustrophobic feel to the overall piece.
I then began designing the figure that would fit inside the space. Below are some of my initial sketches.
Graphite sketches on paper edited in procreate.
Digital Drawings created in Procreate.
Above are digital interpretations of on of the figures from my sketchbook. I thought it would be helpful to draw in a box that would resemble how the figure might be positioned after being created.
BOX MODEL
Moving on to creating the box that the figure was to be positioned in. I had hoped to make the box from clay so that I could print a cardboard texture into it and paint it using underglaze I would have also like to create holes in the ceramics to stitch the sides of the box together. However, as I was unable to use the ceramics area this week I attempted to make to box out of cardboard. I felt this was a good alternative as I would still be able to stitch the sides together and create the desired patterns.
I wanted to make the outside of the box extremely childish and hap hazardly put together using embroidery.
After creating the box I could then see what space I had to work with. With this I was able to make the base of my model from wire and tinfoil (shown below).
Tinfoil model to build on
After the base was complete I moved on the covering it with air dry clay. Although air dry isn’t as forgiving as other clays I enjoy how it dries to such a high white finish.
This was something I wanted to preserve with the model – a bright white to contrast the black that is on the inside of the box.
Below is the clay figure immediately after sculpting. The clay still has a grey look to it. This will become a bright white once dry
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS.
For the final installation of this piece I made some adjustments by stitching the edges of my box and creating a swinging section that viewers cab easily open to view the figure inside. I also used black felt to pad the inside instead of just painting the piece as it absorbed more light to make the inside look even bleaker.
I also changed the colour of my stitching to a wider scheme to encapsulate items and experiences from my childhood- all bright and filled with colours.
I also thought it was relevant to mention that this piece was highly influenced by my summer project which focused on gender stereotypes, the binary and my own self image.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND PROCESSES.
In addition to my sculpture I took some photographs of myself in an attempt to make my figure in real life. I did this by fitting myself in a series of small spaces.
Anthony Gormley
Lost horizons 1
Antony Gormley is one of the UK’s most celebrated sculptors with solo shows worldwide since the 1980s. Permanent public works include the Angel of the North (Gateshead, England) and Another Place (Crosby Beach, England). Gormley won the Turner Prize in 1994 and has been a member of the Royal Academy since 2003. He was made an Officer of the British Empire in 1997 and knighted in 2014.
Tracey Emin
Everyone I’ve ever slept with