British art show

weeks 12-16 JELLY fish looking at light inspired by Susan Hillar's post card collection

Visit to the sea life centre, after inspiring visit to Manchester art Gallery 

When on a return visit toThe Manchester Art Gallery I was immediately drawn to the work by Susan Hillier  (1940) 'Rough Sea' Susan Hillier works with a collection of postcards, dating back to the early Victorian era. Each postcard dissipates an image of crashing waves, high tides and rough seas. There is a true surreal element to this piece, which i believe is a deliberate reaction, in 

which the artists wanted to achieve. The use of bold  vivid colours purples,reds and greens only highlights the contrast between this and reality making the overall image appear dreamlike and imaginative. I decided that upon my visit to the Sea life centre the exhibit of jellyfish were able to be seen better under different light settings therefore my work has now taken a\ new direction focusing on light.

bottom centre is Sussan's work and surrounding are photographs taken within the sea life centre

week 8-12 turtle creation

Creation of the turtle 

Firstly working on the structure of the turtle I visited many associations that worked with both turtles/sea turtles and also the land version an ancestor of the turtle the tortoise. My first visit was to The Sea Life Center where In I was able to get an up close observational view of the many sshapes breads, colours, patterns and variety of turtle there is. Even after ownining a Yellow bellly turtle myself I was unaware of the amount of care and need this mammal needed.

Visual Arts Weeks four to eight

Creation of the Rhino Horn

Over the up and coming fortnight I intend to expand on ideas using found materials, creating animals that are at risk or protected due to the fault of human beings. After researching a variety of protected species at Chester Zoo and the Sea life center. I intend to expand on the the many types of species gathered and created. I will collaborate a collection to the on looker that will have no immediate connection, however on further reflection will make sense with a deeper underling meaning. If the viewer was just to physically look at the installation and not look for the hidden meaning the whole concept and existence will be somewhat lost, as the choice of breed of animals has no association with one another showcasing such a vast variety. When  looking more closely at the reasons as to why these airmails have a connection, the viewer will then be able to piece together the Iconolgy behind this and soon realize its the link that all species created, are in one way or another at risk, vulnerable and protected species. For example a rhinoceros, swan, reindeer and a red squirrel visually together look a rather odd and wouldn't happen naturally in the wild.

Sketch from Chester Zoo

Rhino's are beautiful mammals killed for their horn mainly for the sales of medicine on the Asian Black markets. I plan on creating an art piece using the structure of the horn, this will be made up of neutral colours and with the use of tacit knowledge I.E finger knitting and the creation of knots this will then intern add strength to the structure, in order for the piece to hold its own shape and to portray the significance of the horn itself.

A Tree acts as a file for the Rhinos Horn 

Horn filling was a behavior i was able to capture during one of my visits. 

 As part of my Contemporary Debates argument I will be researching present day media looking at propaganda and the issues  relating to poaching these animals that are in the local news to date, as the species are at risk now more than ever of becoming extinct. www.savetherhino.org

In order to create a 3D Rhino horn sculpture I began by researching the overall structural shape of  the horn by drawing the animal from observation, I was able to work out the overall structural shape and began to create the rhino horn. I was able to be inspired by light fixtures at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. This sparked the initial idea of creating a wooden structural frame, where I then intern could create circular shapes and weave using an array of materials in order for the shape to hold itself upright. By pinning each vertical section to a circular board and joining each piece of rope to the same starting point gave me the cone shape needed. I was then able to weave and strengthen the structure with rope, metals cottons and many more found materials including human hair. After researching Rhino facts I was amazed to discover this fact that the horn itself is made up of compacted hair and this is unique to this mammal therefore included it in my material  list.

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.

unit x final outcome and summery

 

Final Pieces

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided that for my final knitted piece I would use Blackpool tower as the main source of inspiration in both colour and structure. My outcome pieces have strong links and connections to the illuminations, using the colour pallet I was able to introduce the same element by introducing  multiple, gradual colours into my design and applying this to a knitted piece for a horse/donkey bridle. Archives taken from Blackpool, the Manchester Slide Library and personal photographs relating to the seaside resort, initially inspired this idea and was the golden thread throughout this journey.

 

 

After researching tassels, trims and fringes, I decided to apply this to the edge, when thinking of a passementerie design idea still using the same colour pallet however this time instead of a gradual Concentration of colour this time i mixed the yarns.

This was a new technique that had to be tested before hand usually when inserting eyelets, firstly you create a hole and then insert. However for me this wasn’t the case, as I intended to inserted the eyelet into the end of a hook up, each one had to mirror the other and measure to a size 22mm fitting the equipment and creating a tubular design outcome.

week 5-6 unit x

 

A New Direction 

This Photograph above left I had taken, as the sun illuminates from behind almost acting as a backdrop, for the intricate structure of the Blackpool tower. I love the fact that the sun shines in the day, piercing through the tower casting shadows and shapes, making it a powerful structure. On the other hand for some this structure can appear over powering and a little drab. The colour for me wasn’t what I had imagined or what I intended to use. It was a disappointment  to see, as on so may postcards, the tower is a bright cherry red and when presented in front of it appeared to be more of a burgundy in colour than red. After sampling a knitted pieces I found my choice of colours to look dull and uninviting so changed my pallet. 

 

photograph taken in the same spot as above however after dark.

 I found at night the Tower is still as much of a dominant structure and tourist attraction, however much less dominating and visually beautiful, light up with a rainbow of bright, vivid colours. This is just the type of colour pallet I intend to use for my horse/donkey bridle.

 

 

I intend to include some form of neon light within the knit sample by creating pockets and inserting them this will hopefully bounce off the reflective yarns and materials within my samples and produce a glow resembling that of the tower.

 

 

using a tension of 7 and E-wrapping multiple colours I was able to create this knitted piece using the colours taken from the illuminations however for me still wasn't bright enough. Therefore I then continued on with the knit and later weaved in glow sticks impersonating influences taken from the Blackpool tower.

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs taken of knitted pieces, taken in the dark and worked with on Photoshop in order to get the effect of it illuminating imitating that of the tower. I plan to use these C.A.D designs in order to progress on the knitting machines with my design ideas.

week 3-4 unit X

Blackpool Inspirations and research

 

This circular cage design, created for the Blackpool Illuminations I felt was fitting when looking at photos taken of Blackpool's tourist attraction horse and carts. The circular shape, 3D element and the fact it lights up are all going to be introduced into my knitting when thinking of Passimenterie I intend to create an edge for a bridle or blanket for either a horse or donkey fitting in with the Illuminations based on light, reflection and the circular shapes. I will do this by introducing lace holes, punch cards, tassels and a bright colour pallet on the industrial knitting machines.


figure 1. photograph of Illuminations worked on in Photoshop

 



2015 visit to Blackpool 



 

 Week two and my journey so far has intrigued me to further research into looking at archives and the history of Blackpool, looking at slides from the Manchester slide library that date back to the 1900's as a starting point. Inspired I am able to look over personal photographs and try to portray what Blackpool means to me and my family. Finding links and traditions that still are practiced to this day such as visits to the tower, horse/donkey rides and the illuminations. Therefore I have decided to use this as a source of inspiration when thinking of Blackpool and looking over slides the Tower keeps appearing in each Image therefore, I think it is important to include this. Maybe by using the metal material within my work or taking shapes as a form of inspiration from the structure of Tower such as crosses from the metal frame in order to create a mesh looking effect within my knit. 





Idea to incorporate into design fringes and tassels.



 

After a visit to a donkey sanctuary in Heaton Park I was able to visualise my knitted piece and decided to research fringes and tassels, as these animals have quite large foreheads therefore I need to bare this in mind when thinking of an edge as the size needs to sit correctly on the head without impairing the animals vision.  





fig 2. left is a slide from Manchester Slide Library dated 1900s

fig 3. right of this picture is a photograph taken in 1967 of my mother riding a donkey.

Notice the Headpiece on the donkey my intension is to create a knitted piece that will sit on top of the head as this one in the photograph does however it will brightly coloured fitting in with Blackpool illuminations and created on the knitting machine using a variety of materials and yarns. 

Week 1-2 UNIT X – Knitting area- Blackpool

Blackpool Inspirations

Week 1-2 – Knitting area



fig 1. Mood board Blackpool Inspirations

Artist found in Blackpool’s lighthouse Ian Whittlesea triggered initial idea to create a piece based on light. Focusing not only on the illuminations but also taking into consideration other sources of light and intern how that reflects. I plan for my final knitted piece to include some reflective yarns in order to incorporate this idea.  I also plan to incorporate the brightness and range of colours taken from Ian’s colour pallet however plans to find a source of original inspiration for myself.

 

Figure 2. Four Season's Illuminations inspiration for knitted piece
 

I have started to look at this project in a more sensitive way and began to incorporate how i feel about the seaside resort, as it focuses on emotions/ feelings by looking at the facial expressions. The weather reflects that of how you feel about Blackpool on a nice sunny day its the place to be. Therefore I plan to extract this circular shape and include it into my knit in the form of experimenting with lace holes, punch cards, hook ups and weaving into the knitted pieces.



fig 3. Glitter ball South-Shore

Observational Drawing outside Blackpool lighthouse of the Glitter Ball left me wanting to introduce reflective yarns into my work, also inspired me to look for circular shapes. I came across a child's Ball/toy machine, that for me fit perfectly, now armed with this photograph I was able to extract areas and create designs for a knitted piece, to which I plan to then in some way incorporate into a passementarie design which will be then placed onto either a horse or donkey somehow.



PE TASK 2

found in a drain this sparked off my ideas to take rubbings off grids.

weaving using pictures and newspaper

looking at yarn wrappings and the bus journey

Whilst working in embroidery I was inspired by the artist Alice Kettle. I was drawn to the way she uses threads in order to make unique, almost sketchy looking pieces of work. Kettles work appears to look hand drawn and focuses on moments from life, similarly linking into the same criteria as myself during this project. In order to translate my findings into stitch, I looked closely at things like the journey, distance also the route I was taking and the time it took to arrive at my destination.

I visited the Manchester Museum and was drawn towards the animals and insects section, due to their bright, vivid colours and individuality. I began by trying to incorporate this into my samples by matching up yarns and created some appliqued pieces. Using hand-stitch techniques I have learnt, I was then able to produce a detailed textured set of sample pieces.

During the second rotation I started in the construct area (weave) I’ve been able to further develop my ideas using the word ‘Duality’ looking at opposites within my work with the choice of media for example, As a material to draw onto I used the free newspaper ‘Metro’ which are available for passengers on the bus. I found this was another element of data collection and added a new dimension to the word Data. The viewer is now able to get information from the drawings and their meaning, also able to take a small caption from the events going on in the background wrote about that particular day within the news articles.

During my research I found an artist whose work inspired me ‘Mary Catlin Sellers’ uses people’s emotions and expressions within her work, this I believe links into my own work however in a more abstract form.

I planned a trip to Liverpool I was able to apply the same method as I did previously when travelling on buses and began drawing the passengers on the coach each time it stopped leaving me with quick sketches to work with. Within the galleries themselves, I focussed on textures and the actual visitors themselves. I was inspired by many artists work such as George Stubs famous paintings of animals and statues, which I drawn from observation. Though these I found interesting I wanted to focus more closely on artists like William Morris as I was able to create patterned rubbings using his interactive pieces. I was also able to take rubbings using these creating interesting and unique patterns to further develop within my work and gave me inspiration to then take grid rubbings.

Sally price is the most recent of my artist inspiration, her choice of materials links as she uses newspaper within her work this sparked a new direction for me. I noticed each bus I travelled on the Metro-newspaper was a key element, as they were threw everywhere on the floor, seats, front of the bus and on each bus I travelled with, therefore I interpreted this within my weaving.

looking at people on the bus.



Alice Kettle

Rubbings taken from Jacob Steins statues and also William Morris's interactive pieces 

Week three chosen area weave

 

 

 

I realised that a possible way of incorporating the newspaper/photographs, yarns and patterns was to incorporate this into my design

realising that the Metro Newspaper is a key element in my daily travels as each bus I board they have them scattered everywhere

Mark Making techniques Friday drawing day

Each drawing, like a photograph captures a moment in time, as all the individuals travelling together on that bus, at that certain time, for one reason or another was now evident within my artwork. As a material to draw onto not only did I use paper but also the free newspaper ‘Metro’ which are available for passengers. I found this was another element of data collection and added a new dimension to the word Data. The viewer is now able to get information from the drawings and their meaning, also able to take a small caption from the events going on in the background wrote about that particular day within the news articles.