Large Head

Large Head

Georg Baselitz - Woodblock and monotype on paper - 1966

I notice a lot of emotion in this piece. The aged face looks worn and fed up, the obscure shapes that cover his cheeks and forehead indicate pain perhaps. His small, almost squinted eyes seem to be staring out at something, deep in though indeed. I always like looking at portraits, I like to imagine what the person is thinking of at that moment or, why the expression on their face is that way. I like this print and although not the most complex or hard to actually produce physically - I think that a lot of energy went into conveying what this man was feeling. 

Favourite Chair

Favourite Chair

Gillian Golding - Linocut - (year not found)

This ominous looking print intrigued me upon first glance. From what is visibly a human sized rabbit sitting in an armchair covered in smaller, more colourful versions of himself looks relaxed. The woman stood a fair bit away in rabbit slippers is staring across at him, with a green door even further away. It's hard to tell what the woman is feeling or thinking, but what I find interesting about this print is how the rabbit is facing away, we are left to imagine the expression on this huge rabbits face, and I can only imagine it looking either smug or upset. Again, with some of the other prints I've looked at I am amazed at how much effort and concentration that must have went into making this print. In particular the intricate patterns upon the armchair, I am also impressed with the composition and structure of the objects. I like this print, and the way it makes me feel, it activates my imagination and grabs my attention. 

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

St. Nicholas, Alcester

St. Nicholas, Alcester by John Piper, 1986 (screenprint)

The interesting perspective within this print caught my eye immediately. The straight on view on the right hand side of the print is great. I feel the colour choice chosen by Piper, especially when it comes to the sky doesn't appeal to me. It almost doesn't look like the sky at all. I love the detail in building in the centre, and the colour chosen for the wall and tree.

Shiant Garbh Eilean

Shiant Garbh Eilean by Norman Ackroyd, 2011 (print)

I really enjoyed studying this particular print when I discovered it. The sheer detail of the rock faces astound me, and after my first experience with printing I can only imagine how much time and effort Ackroyd put into this himself. This piece is from his collection of prints from the North of Scotland and I personally love the Highlands and the views they have to offer, so naturally I was attracted to this specific print.

Edward Kennedy

Edward Kennedy 1980 by Andy Warhol

I find this particular print striking in that the person chosen was ex-president JFK's younger brother. I am to see the resemblance he had in relation to his two brothers. The 4 colours used - white, black, red and blue - remind me slightly of the American flag. On the left side of Kennedy's face the outline is blue, and on the right it is red. His almost expressionless face is what I noticed first, it made me wonder what he was looking at or even thinking about when the original photograph was taken.

Expanding my Knowledge of the Art World

Having learnt about many artists through High School I believed up until a month or two ago that I had a good idea of what kinds of artists had been and gone throughout history. To me, Art was simply an outlet for very creative people with the passion and skill it takes to produce beautiful paintings, or drawings. My outlook and personal opinion on the matter has changed and developed a lot since beginning this course.

On Monday afternoons we have been looking at the periods in history where groups of artists have challenged tradition and disrupted the norm and created new ways of physically producing artwork. This has opened my mind to the art world, it has questioned my view on what 'art' really is.

So many people find comfort in pigeon holing things they come across in life, things have to be categorized and for example if one person with an open mind and a flexible perspective, views a blank canvas with three single dots in the centre, that person will take their time and develop a patient opinion on the piece. Other people instantly decide "That isn't art! How could it be?! It's nothing, anyone could do that!"
I used to be like that person. I guess it's a maturity thing, not to say someone who simply doesn't like contemporary art is immature, nothing like that. It;s just a trait you develop as you grown up. That is what I've come to learn since starting the course, is that you don't have to like every piece of art in a gallery, it's about appreciating and realising the artists ideas and motives and developing your own opinion on their piece.