The Wallet Begins to Empty

The Wallet Begins to Empty, 1961/63, David Hockney

After exploring Hockney's 'Rake's Progress' this particular print jumped out at me. At first glance I was able to identify (roughly) what was going on. Referring to the title this man is being banished, or sent off, or maybe fired by what looks like superiors at the top of the set of stairs. The red splodge hanging in mid air around the dejected figure walking down the stairs appears in at least 2 other of Hockney's pieces in 'Rake's Progress'. I feel this may be connected to emotion that each figure is feeling within the prints. The fact this man's wallet is beginning to empty may be the reason for being ostracised from what looks like at the top of the stairs alongside the angry figures, the Washington Monument.
I like this print. It conveys (as I have perceived it) a simple message that Hockney may be getting across, and through simple objects and colours within the print, he definitely achieves this.

Leonardo Da Vinci - The Mechanics of Man

In late October of this year I visited the Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh. I had heard through a friend that Leonardo Da Vinci's work was on display and was eager to witness his masterpieces first hand. The exhibition did not disappoint. I went along with said friend Flora, who also has a keen interest in the art world.

'The Mechanics of Man' hosted the original collection of investigations Da Vinci took out on many cadavers later in his life. He was/is lesser known for his studies on human and animal anatomy, which became increasingly important to hum up until his death.

We spent just over 2 hours walker around the gallery reading, looking at and just appreciating all the work that was on display. All this work wasn't published until hundreds of years after his death. Personally I was in awe for most of the visit, I had no clue a man who I had assumed was a very famous artist, sculptor, etc. He was something much more. To explore this in depth study of the different parts of the human body was simply astounding.

Flora and I, quietly whispering confirmed our mutual wonder whilst staring at these artistic drawings of the shoulder muscles, forearm tendons, right down to each little bone in the hand. I couldn't believe I was getting to see these ancient works of art for the mere student ticket price of £5.70. We stayed as long as possible and afterwards I purchased the 'Mechanics of Man' book that was in the gift shop, which was a printed collection of each of the 93 drawings in Da Vinci's experiments.

Attending this exhibition has been added to the ever growing list of things I am looking for and discovering since joining this course. I plan to visit as many exhibitions as possible in the future as I believe the only way to expand my creativity and inspire me to create my own work is to explore many other artists work as much as possible.

Olympic Robe

Jim Dine, Olympic Robe, 1998

The fact there isn't a person filling this colourful, ragged looking robe is interesting to me. Especially considering the pose it is displaying is that of movement. Hands on the hips suggest emotion. The lithographs title is conveyed on the bottom part of the robe which is the Olympic rings. The scrappy edges around the print is what I mostly enjoy about it, the sense of pride I feel this print is trying evoke is striking. The body language on display has connotations of success. The more I have looked at this particular print of Dine's, the more I like it.

Fine Art Unit Final Piece Progression