Visual Arts Salford University week one - four

Gathering Research 

weeks one to four

After visiting the Manchester Art Gallery I was immediately struck by the sheer impact of a photograph taken five years prior, in an Oxford zoo, 1990 by (Craigie Horsfield 1949) this is a portrait of a large two horned  rhinoceros. Titled Solitary Rhinoceros (top left) I was able to start my journey of information gathering with this image being the starting point. The sheer impact of the image stood out to me, as its appearance is deceptive to the on looker from afar you are able to recognise the presence and strength of the mammal. However up close the grainy texture and shadows recede this image into the background mirroring the existence of the future of this breed. I on reflection wanted to mirror the animals dying out, focusing on PROTECTED species. Firstly I wanted to get an insight of this animal focusing on its behaviours, surroundings, and engagement with humans both in the wild but also in captivity and the reasons as to why this mammal is at risk of becoming extinct in our future generation due to human impact.

For Me this footage gives a comprehensive view on human impact within the environment and as a result I plan for the Creation of a 3d sculpture based on protected species gallery visits to The Manchester Art Gallery, The Manchester Museum Liverpool's Bluecoats and Leeds gallery. However many other areas of influence are taken from the actual animals themselves on show at Chester Zoo, also the natural history programmes that include these mammals within the wild and focus on their unseen behaviours like David Attenborough's Wild Africa to which I love. 

 Above Left is an observational drawing of the two horned Black rhino I intended to capture the  'Solitary Rhinoceros'  this piece is not only just an image of a rhino however a piece that under close inspection disintegrates before your very own eyes as Craige  Horsfield intended in his photograph. His  rationale for this was a direct link between, both the present day and the past acting as a reminder for the viewer that  'death is always with us' the artist has been able to capture a true gesture of the stature and stance of the rhinoceroses in the image as I have done below using found materials from within their environment. It is both dramatic and an empowering piece i believe as I have tried to included an overall essence of the environment and the impact this has on the breed dying out.  I purposely included brown leaves capturing the animals destiny if humans continue to hunt this magnificent breed. Cragie Horsfield has been an inspiration to me and left me wanting to explore the life of the rhino further,  finding out about this mammal and its true facts, one I was completely astonished by  finding out that the horn itself is made up of compacted hair a material which I went on to pursue when creating the horn itself.  

gathering resources, information in order to create top right piece named George.

My own recordings of  Rhino behaviour and human interaction within

the Enclosure Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo has tried to mimic the natural environment with the hut style enclosure.

Focusing on the habitat where the rhinos were kept at Chester Zoo I was able to gather information about the breed and its existence I was able to take recordings of their behaviours, human interactions and questioned the morality of them being put out for exhibit, when the noise level of screaming children, photographs being taken whilst trying to sleep were apparent.