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This is the A0 print I have decided to show for my degree show. 

What does it represent? 

It was specifically selected from the 26 images that were shown for my solo show ‘identity formation journey’ to pin point where I am in this journey at this moment in time, using this image as a freeze frame

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C O N T R A S T

work by Francis Upritchard x work by Sarah Hoey

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SOLO SHOW 

Representing and visualising the journey of my identity formation, how I progress with positive affirmations, in this case the Warsan Shire quote. This is up against the forever, abrupt and random societal interference of labeling.  

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എന്റെ മുഖവും എന്റെ അച്ഛനും കണ്ണുകൾ എന്റെ മുഖത്ത് ഉണ്ട്

“I have my Mother’s mouth and my Father’s eyes; on my face they are still together” - WARSAN SHIRE

This quote touched me personally, one being a response to anyone and everyone who has told me I should exist in and identify with only one of my races but not both. The other being the fact that my father passed away in 2001, separating him and my Mother, leaving their existence together upon me. Written on my face in the style of Zhang, the quote by Warsan Shire translated into Malayalam and written in red, something I chose to represent me and to stand up for myself. A positive perception of who I am. The writing in green is the word ‘Mestice’ translated into Malayalam represents a branding, catcalling, racism and abuse. A negative perception of who I am. These two elements clashing similar to the vadalisation of the series ‘My Name Isn’t’. The layout of my solo show was to depict a walk through of my journey of self-discovery and acceptance. After researching and coming across quotes such as “Many recent writers on ‘mixed race’ issues have claimed that ‘mixed people have a unique experience - distinctive experiences of their parents and family life, unique patterns of identity formation and are subjects to exceptional forms of discrimination that cannot be addressed within existing conceptions of ‘race’.” This validated my feelings of not belonging and confusion. I understood that there was time left for me to fully understand and know how I identify as a person. As you can see the red writing of the Shire quote was increasing and absorbing my face until fully covered in red, this is to portray a journey of me finally being at full understanding of who I am. In contrast to this is the green writing, it is different to the red as it does not absorb me, it is not physically touching me but somewhat vandalising the space around me. This is to show that no matter where I am in my journey there will be a societal problem where words are used to oppress, tarnish your self-worth and discovery.

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എന്റെ മുഖവും എന്റെ അച്ഛനും കണ്ണുകൾ എന്റെ മുഖത്ത് ഉണ്ട്

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the joys of 9am lectures ( n_n)

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Race & Ethnicity - culture, identity and representation - Stephen Spencer

Stats: In Britain 50% of all black children born have 1 white parent. In 2001 400,000 ticked ‘mixed’, 2012 are now over a million.

‘Mixed race’ - a misleading term - suggesting that there is a ‘pure race’

‘The individual is able to make individual decisions which reflect the loss of traditions’ 

‘Celebrating ‘hybrid forms’ avoids the issue of historical interracial identities -persistence of white supremacy inculcated in the hierarchical colour codes of countries such as Jamaica’ -Christian, 2004

[Clark Doll Experiment 1939] - These studies were used in arguments that black children suffered from low self esteem, identity confusion because of internalised negative views of black people from the white community

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MAKIKO KUDO at Saatchi Gallery

Kudo’s work was my favourite from my visit to Saatchi Gallery, this isn’t due to any of it relating to my work but just based on the work itself. They were very large in scale, therefore having you looking up at them or taking a few steps back. The colour and diluted shapes made them so playful and fun to see. Also the subjects being young girls exploring dreamy lands, is one that I could feel connected to.

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This year I plan to explore my dual ethnicity and the role it plays in my life. I am translating this through my Mother’s language, Malayalam, a Sanskrit text. One that I have grown up learning, before English was in my vocabulary, however losing it as I grew up. Reconnecting with the language through communication with my Mother, aunts and grandmother. Gathering words, phrases and quotes linking both of my cultures to make it one, some being positive and some negative. Extracting visuals from my phonebox task I did where I continuously wrote ‘Hoey’ in Malayalam, I want to keep that imagery of the language and words building up on the transparent surface to finally consume me. For this effect I have been experimenting with perspex, my own skin and reflections. I want to continue to experiment with projections and photography. Also the application of the words using markers, paintbrushes and fingertips.

In the future I would like to obtain an Art Therapy MA. To achieve this, I will have to graduate with an Arts honours. I then plan to begin to apply to organisations such as North East Autism society, or apply for work in the social care sector at councils etc. This way I will acquire over a years experience in a therapeutic setting. I also need to begin to form a portfolio with a range of finished pieces that correspond my identity as an artist. 

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PUSSYRIOT’s work contained a lot of variety in one space, painting, audio, video and sculpture.

Upon entrance to the room, there are two projections on either side of you. The paintings followed after them down either side of the room, in the middle of the room they had placed a smaller room on which you could enter to watch more film works. I found this room more intimate and secluded for you to feel uninterrupted, this way you would not be distracted by other noises or work. 

I found these paintings related to my work the most, due to the use of a strong red colouring for the wording. The fact the words are written in a language foreign to me, I was able to view my work from another person’s perspective. Knowing something is right in front of you, a statement, a message, but being unable to comprehend it.

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Nina Ghafari’s work, in my opinion, is highly influenced by Basquiat. Striking figures with dreadlocked hair, painted with expressive brush strokes in bold black and pigmented colours. Another similar element was the use of words in the painting. This is something I look at in relation to my work, words over a face, somewhat labeling them ‘rebel’ ‘slave’ similar to how I used ‘mestice’.

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At first glance, my initial thought was ‘islamic prayer room’ this was due to the resemblance these large cloths hanging on the walls had to prayer mats, the colours and patterns. Approaching the entrance of the room which was positioned in a corner of another room I began to see the floor was covered in fabric. It being the only room with this feature I began to question it’s religious links, this refrained me from comfortably walking into this space because I had my shoes on, knowing it would be extremely disrespectful if this is a place of worship. However seeing the colourful, neon woven mats were not prayer mats, I proceeded into the space. I then saw familiar images, the big ben with a double decker red london bus, and the statue of liberty with a twist. 

AES+F took on the visualisation of the western world’s fears of the ‘domination’ of islam. In contrast to my work, the combination of two opposite cultures being combined into one visual. Even though the nature of the subject is different to the one I am applying to my work, it was interesting to view something of a similar idea but from a less personal and more political stance.

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saatchi gallery

on my visit to saatchi gallery I got to see work by pussy riot, makiko kudo, calder, aes+f, oleg kulik and more. The work shown was of a broad variety, based on subject matter and medium. Painting, photography, audio, sculpture and film work. 

Some works shown formally, spaced out onto the white walls. There were sculptures and videos hidden in cervices and boxes, allowing you to view them at a new angle than you would be used to. 

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The Tabula Rasa acts as  a systematic approach to logically breakdown work in order to discuss and interpret. The steps include:

Time

Before / after / during the experience of the work - has in changed over time? How? Why?

Association

What came to mind? Why? References? Link? Own work? Other artists? Objects? Memories?

Background

Where? Effect? Influence? Literal space.

Understanding

Different lenses? How?

Look Again

Looking back - has it changed? Influence? repeated?

Assessment

What’s stayed with you? Negative? Positive? Personal? Environmental impact? If the environment change how would this impact the work? etc?

Using this method would be helpful to dissect and fully gather the experience you are having with a piece of work. Relating ‘Tabula Rasa’ to my practice at this current moment, I would have to look into Background as I feel this is where my work has the most depth to it, referring to the influence of culture and language in my life, to the background of who I am. This is the basis of my current works. Understanding that the process of my work is a piece of art in itself relating to Time as I have began capturing in videos through glass and reflections. Also I have realised that the Understanding of my work will be challenged through different lenses, this is because of the location it will be shown in, West Midlands England, mainly viewed by Caucasian, English speaking UK citizens. Providing them with little to no knowledge on the language Malayalam, leaving them with the vague connection to India. However this does not have to be a negative thing due to the correlation I am making in my work of two worlds colliding, and times where I have been surrounded with this language with no understanding of what is being said also.