8th December Yayoi Kusama

On Thursday 8^th of December, I continued to generate further artist research through developing understanding and knowledge of the “Kitsch Movement”. By progressing and developing further into this theme, it has allowed me to gain knowledge about new, interesting artists which included Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama. The artist uses a wide range of media to create her work which includes painting, collage, installations and sculpture. Yayoi Kusamas work emphasises circles and dots through repetition and pattern which can be interpreted as abstract artwork. I discovered the artist through my Pinterest board research through the search title “Kitsch” as the artist’s work can be interpreted as the movement. However, as a Textiles Artist, I was engaged by the artist’s work through the depth, repetition, emphasis and texture of Yayoi patterns of circles and dots. To create artists research I wanted to emphasise each individual pattern used and this was created through choice of materials which included, acrylic paints, Gouache paints and inks. By completing artist’s research, it has allowed me to analyse and develop artist research activity. Also, the task allowed me to interpret research activity to develop ideas and creative proposals for the chosen project and theme. Finally, the task allowed me to select appropriate materials to create Yayoi Kusamas patterns and emphasise colour and repetition within the piece.

Before creating the research board, I found the task difficult as I wanted to demonstrate Yayoi Kusama installation pieces within my work. To solve the problem I decided gain inspiration from the installation pieces and used them as a background to create an effective outcome with the choice of ink and acrylic paint to emphasise the dots within the page. Next, I focused with creating Yayoi Kusamas pumpkin designs as the artist emphasises these sculptures through a variety of colour and depth. To create the piece within the page I decided to use pencil to capture the shadows and tones within the sculpture. Also, by using this material It has allowed me to emphasise the pattern through layering acrylic paint above the design which allowed it to be engaging and eye-catching within the piece. The outcome is presented below.

Artist Research board which includes Installation background and Pumpkins

Pencil outline of Pumpkin with layers of acrylic paint to create the repeated dot pattern.

Next, I am going to continue to complete Yayoi Kusama board and start to develop initial ideas and drawings for my final outcome which will reflect Textiles and the project “Mother and Child”.

Jeff Koons and "Kitsch Movement"

On Wednesday 7^TH of December, I started to obtain artists research and inspiration for the live brief project “Mother and Child” which has been inspired by the development of my theme and previous mood boards within the workshop and independent study. Artist research obtained reflects the theme of my project “seaside” and “fairground” which are important areas of my childhood and reinforce the live brief title and primary research collected for the task “Mother and Child”. Also, the artist research that I have gained reflect on the style and theme of my primary research as it emphasises the main areas I believe are most inspiring. For the focus of my theme I have identified an area which I believe reflects my theme and relates back to my idea for the project which is the seaside town called “Blackpool”. Throughout my childhood, I have visited this resort with my mother and grown up around the seaside whilst visiting family. This is also reflected through my family history as i have collected photographs of my grandparents and great-grandparents visiting the seaside. Around the seaside resort are a wide display of signs, lights and promotions which reflects attractions you can visit and buy. This includes fun fairs, amusements, food and games. The theme can be interpreted and linked to the movement of “Kitsch” which was the main influence and starting point of collecting artist research and inspiration.  The workshop allowed me to use analysis to develop research activity. Also, the task allowed me to interpret research activity to develop ideas and creative proposals for the chosen project and theme. Finally, the task allowed me to select appropriate materials and processes to develop creative solutions for the chosen artist research activity.

Kitsch movement can be described as “art, objects, and designs which can be considered as poor taste but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way”.

To start the task and gain research, I used my Pinterest board and placed the keywords “Kitsch Artist” to discover new artist and movements I have not previously discovered before. Before I started the task, I struggled with collecting research as I unsure about artists within the movement as I didn’t feel confidence and not explored this area before within the course. However, “Pinterest” was inspiring as it allowed me to discover artists within the movement which relates back to my project theme and development. A variety of Artwork and sculptures appeared within my results which came from the artist Jeff Koon’s. After researching further about the artist I discovered that he had a leading role within the “Kitsch Movement” and created a variety of balloon figures and sculptures. This research was useful as these sculptures relate to my theme of “fairground” as they can be seen within the topic and also relates back to my primary research collected previously. Also, the research was useful as it allowed me to relate my artist research to my main topic and area “Blackpool”. After discovering Jeff Koon’s, I visited the library to gain further information and books about his work. Whist looking through the books, I discovered that the artists has also created a series of oil paints which related back to “theme parks” and “characters”. This gave me the confidence to create my artist board from the research provided through “Pinterest” and library books collected. For the background of my board, I decided to keep it simple as I wanted to emphasise the paintings and drawings of each sculpture and pieces I am studying. I decided to focus with creating Jeff Koons “dog balloon” which involved using paints to capture the bold colours and depth detail and shadows within the piece. Before I started the task, I felt less confident as the material is one of my weak areas within art. However, I continued to use them as I wanted to develop my confidence and skill of using the material effectively. The outcome was effective and to finish the piece I used PVA glue to create the shine presentation on display within the book and sculpture. The outcome is presented below.

Jeff Koons Dog Balloon

Next, I am going to complete further drawings and paintings from the artist Jeff Koons and develop my research further to discover “Kitsch Movement” artists.

On Tuesday 6th December, I started to create inspirational mood boards for my live brief project "Mother and Child" which are a series of photographs collected from my independent study. The mood board emphasises my main inspiration collected from primary and second research which will be developed further into my final design and outcome for the project. The board also reflects my interpretation of the theme personally and from the live brief given from the Civic Art Gallery. The task has allowed me to interpret research activity to develop ideas and creative proposals for the chosen live brief "Mother & Child". Also the task has allowed me to use analysis to develop research activity and outcomes for the project. The workshop outcome was successful as it allowed me to generate further ideas from the research collected from my independent study to create a final idea and development path I am wanting to achieve for the live brief outcome. Also, the workshop outcome was successful as it allowed me to analyse my primary research and highlight the areas which I believe will be most inspiring for my project.

Firstly to start the task, I decided to photocopy pages within my sketchbook and old primary photographs collected from my independent study. This allowed me to emphasise the images and pieces which are the most inspiring towards my project. For my theme and interpretation I have decided to research personally though old photographs taken from family holidays and places. I noticed within the images that I have visited Blackpool throughout my childhood with my mum and family which has also been a traditional through generations. This included images taken at Blackpool with my Great Grandmother and Grandma. I found these images inspiring as it reflects my childhood and family through the seaside resort. Also the theme reflects me personally as I have family living in Blackpool and have many memories visiting with my mother and others. This theme has allowed me to develop further ideas and generate further research through collecting images around Blackpool from visiting fairgrounds, theme parks and piers. All the primary images generated along with the theme were taken onto the moodboard where I decided to create a collage of designs. The board also included images taken from different theme parks and family holidays outside of Blackpool as I also find them inspiring for my project. By photocopying images, it has allowed me to create repetition and movement within the piece to emphasise areas which inspire me the most. For my background the collage has been generated through layouts and designs within the images which includes bold colours and strong shapes. The colour scheme has also been inspired by primary research which includes engaging, happy colours which reflects the "seaside" and "family holiday" theme. The moodboard also included sketches and drawings which have been completed and placed within my sketchbook. The outcome of the layout is presented below.

Development of my moodboard

Final Outcome

Next, I am going to create an additional mood board which includes secondary research from my Pinterest Board which explores "fairground" theme and "seaside" theme. I will also start to develop artist research and gain knowledge of artwork which will be inspiring towards my theme and project "Mother and Child".