Personal Artwork Analysis

Michael Smith

 1. Elements of Design

• Different surfaces and textures• Applied onto a geometric form (column)• Tactile: giving an illusion of physical solidity and tangibility• Focused on materials with pliable qualities which can create 3D shapes

• Colour: Brown, black and white• Variations in tone and intensity (some more thinly layered, glossy and or transparent)• Different textures: rough and smooth• Shape: folds and creases with paper, Bent chicken wire fencing

• Size: 32cm width, 146cm height

2. Identify the subject matter

• Part of a series• 3 different pillars• Different materials applied to them

Concept• Supporting surfaces• Relating modern materials with medieval armour and representing them as historic remains

Appearance• Ruins, ancient architectural foundation, surreal, old, ancient, relics• Covered in materials which create an old weathered appearance representing age, time, imbedded history • Intention to portray box’s as solid structures

Material choice with likeness with my theme

• Cross referencing objects that share similarities with the past• Link common products which reflect recognisable features of armour

• Links to preservation through the materials used• Tar• Gloss and resin affect relating to tree sap, honey, crystal, rock

• At the same time freshness (like it is still living)

3. Materials

• Mixed media• MDF box held together by screws• Material: butchers paper, tissue paper, chicken wire fencing• Mixture consisting of: tar, PVA, binder medium, clear gel medium, turps, shellac

• Materials share links with preservation• Tar material preserves things it is applied to, creating barrier• Chicken wire protects animals

4. Presentation and Display 

• Part of a series

• Presented as an installation on the floor

• Pillars are in a row

• Each one is tilted on an angle weighted down by sand bags (internally) • Each one is surrounded by a small mound of earth

• Installed inside a building (white walls)

• The angles of the pillars contrast with architectural features in the building

• Centred in the space with access from all sides

• The environment needs to contrast the work to crate effect (earth surrounding pillars is more defined when placed on a universal surface)

5. Genre’s

• Minimalism

• Cubism

• Conceptual based

• Abstract: with contrast to where it is placed

• Expressionistic: through materials

6. Codes (what are you expected to know, or have seen before)

• Architecture

•Columns, Pillars (structural supports for elevating roof)

•Remains of buildings (reflecting the integrity of pillars)

• A general idea on the nature of erosion

• Types of armour (chain-male)

•Preservation (how materials preserve things)

7. Contemporary ideas and events

• Contemporary archaeology http://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/research/current-projects/contemporary-past/ • Opening ceremony of the of the 2012 Olympics http://imgace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/industrial-age-water-wheel-and-chimney-stacks-of-industrial-revolution-at-opening-ceremony.jpg

• Exhibition at Goma (Lightness and Gravity)

8. Biography and cultural background

• In touch with nature • Physical tactile nature of things (surface and appearance) Constructed many things from found materials in nature and rubbish • Dad, Marine Park Ranger Visited and Lived at National parks • Fort Lytton located beside the Brisbane River Quarantine for sick people arriving in Australia by boat (many old buildings) Defensive base protecting the river from invading ships • Peal Island, Quarantine• St Helena, old Jail

• Surrounding environment: After moving to the outskirts of Brisbane city early on in life I have since lived in the same house• 5 acres

• Interests: things that have become a part of my life that have influenced my art

• medieval re-enactment After experiencing medieval festivals as a child the image of armour and weapons has never left me

• blacksmithing• The qualities of metals has always interested me

• Travelling around Australia Landscape Termite Mounds in the Northern Territory Reminds me of architectural structures made of earth (Greek Pillars)

9. Internationalism

• Architecture Pillars • History of columns: Ancient Egyptian architecture as early as 2600 BC,

• Totem polls (tribal)

• Applying materials to plain objects to make more personal (adornment)

• Armour

• Use of found and recycled objects (found materials)

10. Precedents

Shigeo TOYAJapan b.1947

Woods III 1991 – 92Wood, ashes and synthetic polymer paint

Exhibition at Goma Category (Lightness and Gravity)

Lynn ChadwickBritish b. 1914–2003

Conjunction XBronze

http://www.artnet.com/artwork/426000652/425918258/lynn-chadwick-conjunction-x.html

11. Electronic and Information technologies

• Electronic tools have made it easier to construct the installation• Internet (access to pictures and information)• Printing (Reproduce images to use as references and inspiration)

12. Audiences and venues

• Historic enthusiasts

• Size meant to create connection with viewer, link formed through human scale (this would mean of an adult size)

• Conceptual: although it has been made to represent a concept, the audience may interpret differently (Someone who likes to question and analyse things)

• Venue: gallery space, selected site in the environment (desert)