I learned a lot about overlap and different planes on the figure and how to express them. I learned a lot about line weight and how to utilize that to show different planes on the figure. I also learned about how to use line weight in order to show stress on the different parts of the body. With more practice I learned with parts of a figure should be emphasized.
I need to work foreshortening on my figures. When there's foreshortening I tend to shrink parts of the figures a lot and the proportions become inaccurate. Then afterwards I start to make heavier marks to correct it. I need to continue with a light mark while I'm still trying to find the figure. I ironed it into the tapestry type shape and I unexpectedly ran out of material so it's a lot smaller than I anticipated. It looked a little funky so I wove some scrap bag strips into the piece to give it some more dimension. It looks flat in pictures I just need to figure out how to increase the contrast more.
I crocheted the strand into a singular chain and I also balled it up just so it's easier to work with when I iron it. Next I'm going to iron it into the tapestry type shape and I'll install it.
I'm planning on scaling up my last piece and removing the burned pieces. I've been preparing the plastic bags and cutting them up. I tied most of them into a long strand so next I'll work on crocheting it into a chain.
I definitely entered the year not knowing what I was doing at all. I remember looking at all the seniors’ artwork and wondering how I could possibly reach that level by that time next year. I kinda knew I was gonna stick to sculpture since I don’t really have the patience or attention span for 2D work. I really kind of wandered around in relation to my materials and had no idea. I slowly ruled out material after material. Not paper, not cardboard. But then miraculously I stumbled upon turning plastic bags into woven material. It fit all of my boxes. It’s environmentally friendly, readily available, and the possibilities are endless. I’ve been trying to perfect my process from how to collect bags, prepare them for crocheting, and actually crocheting them. While the process is long I enjoy it as I feel like everything in me is going into each piece. While a lot of my recent pieces have had crocheting in them, I’ve been wanting to experiment more with turning these bags into different shapes. I think I want to play with it’s reaction to heat more and color. And possibly with crocheting with different materials. I’m still questioning what I’m doing but at least this time I’m looking down so many roads of possibilities.
I watched the Gucci Aria show on Instagram Live. Aria is their new collection and was released this year on the 100th anniversary of the start of the house. The house showed some of their iconic patterns and details such as their tan logo print and their combination of bright grass green and rich red. The collection was kept consistent with the house’s style: eccentric yet preppy. Much of the pieces were styled with jockey helmets, or more outlandish props such as whips. Each look had a plethora of layers as most of the looks that come out of the house do. While they kept consistent with their past designs and styles, they incorporated current trends and showed where the house intends to go to in the future. Many of the looks especially pertaining to the oversized square sunglasses, suggested a trend of 70s influence in the upcoming seasons. The designs also included latex which has been a style shown popular in recent years by especially Mugler and Christopher Kane.
Not only were the clothing amazing but the set design of the show was stunning as well. The first part was a traditional runway show with a bright white background and a backdrop on the sides of spotlights. Then it transitioned into a mystical forest straight out of a fairytale. While Gucci is known for its eccentric style many of the pieces they create are not considered basics and go out of fashion easily. Fashion is art, so is art obligated to be conscious of the environment? Even though luxury brands are expensive they can be the most devastating to the environment and to garment workers. If artists keep making art and dont keep the cycle of creation circular, then aren’t we also contributing to the issues that we speak about in our art? I guess that’s partly why I work with plastic, in addition that it’s a really cool material to work with. I want to incorporate some of the off the wall style that Gucci has, maybe experiment with color and other materials. Latex could be cool to work with. Maybe balloons or something? I finally finished all of the crocheting for my piece. I just need to tie some knots and install it tomorrow and I'll be ready for the critique. I've been thinking about maybe putting paint on it but in a distressed way not fully coated.
Nnenna Okore http://nnennaokore.com/ Born in Austrailia in 1975 Uses flotsam or discarded objects in works Learned some of her methods from Nigeria people doing their everyday tasks Won Fulbright Scholar Award in 2012 Professor of Art currently at North Park University in Chicago Her work contrasts her American identity and Nigerian identity inflenced and mentored by El Antsui She also frequently talks about age, decay, and death in her work specifically in reference to the fragility of the earth. Uses many repetitive and labor intensive techniques for her works Over 80 solo and group shows Been featured in Sculpture Magazine, The New York Times, Financial Times, Art South Africa and Ceramics: Art and Perception Galleries David Krut Gallery, New York, United States Contemporary African Art Gallery, New York, United States October Gallery, London, United States Bekris Gallery, Emeryville, United States Kuaba Gallery, Indianapolis, United States Museum of Arts and Design, New York, United States Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, United Kingdom Museu Afro Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil The Heong Gallery, Cambridge, United Kingdom Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis, United States “The Sun shall rise again” Burlap, dye, wire 76 x 104 x 18 in 2015 I like how she uses discarded objects in her works. The way that she incorporates Nigerian techniques into her work is really interesting and I might research into some techniques from my own culture. Down to Earth
Burlap, dye, wire Varying dimensions 2017 I like the way she utlizes the space and the organic way the whole sculpture flows down. I also really like the different colors she uses that emphasize the shadows in the sculpture. I also like the way you can see right through. The shape gives it a heavy feeling but the delicacy of it balances and contrasts it. |
Hanna NgaiHi, I'm a senior at Maggie Walker in Art 5 and I'm an installation sculpture artist that turns plastic bags into art. Archives
May 2022
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