Abstract Expressionism

9th Sept 2011
Concept that art, whilst being abstract was also expressive or emotional in its effect. Inspired by the Surrealist idea that art should come from the unconscious mind and by the automatism of Miro. Split into two groups called the action painters, who worked in a spontaneous manner, and the field painters, who were occupied by religion and myth.

Jackson Pollock's 1A 1948. Action painter and pioneer of A.E, whose style involved dripping trails of a canvas laid on the floor.

Mark Rothko, Field painter, drew on myths of antiquity and religion. Large soft edged areas of layered colours, presented in a symmetrical presentation.

I attempted to produce a piece in the style of the Art Expressionism movement with graphite and emulsion on brown paper. I tried to make my marks quickly and with as little conscious thought as possible. I found it difficult to embrace automatism.

Liverpool Trip: Tate Liverpool

http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/renemagritte/default.shtm
Magritte's work has influenced generations of artists but has also resonated beyond art to inform the language of film, advertising and commercial art.
'Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist' Magritte

Andy Warhol's The kick featuring Martha Graham, evokes movement with bold primary coloured lines over the pink and black print. This basic colour scheme is very dynamic and eye catching.

Liverpool Trip: The Walker Art Gallery

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/
This exhibition of photographs documents Liverpool during the mid seventies, and reveals that although the inhabitants were obviously living in border-line poverty, they were happy and made the most of what they had, because they only had each other.

My Own Cardboard Structure

5th Sept 2011
Inspired by Speed and Whiteread's, we constructed this structure from just cardboard and masking tape. Our aim was to start with an igloo shape, and spontaneously build up. The viewer was taken on a journey through the two openings and we tried to give it some permanence by adding homely touches such as a satellite and a letter box.

Rachel Whiteread

http://www.luhringaugustine.com/artists/rachel-whiteread#
Rachel Whiteread explores architectural space by making extravagant casts, solidifying the air within the negative space. Such as House 1993 which was a mid-terrace with cement before it was demolished.

Emily Speed

http://www.emilyspeed.co.uk/
In particular Emily Speed's works called Inhabitant and Cabanon really intrigued me, as her cardboard structures seem to exist only in an in between state, where its hard to decide if its hard built or half derelict. I love how she highlights how man strives to create a permanence and legacy, which can act as a metaphor for our internal selves.

Life Drawing: Part 1

Chalk and graphite with collage.