Sample+1.+Audacity

  Sample 1. Audacity     … Studio Work #1 **Audacity** **Media:** Acrylic paint on newspaper, **Size:** 42 x 30 cm, **Month of completion:** November 2009

//**2011-12 Grade 11 IB Student Instructions: Description paragraph explaining work and intentions, research, artist inspiration, historical/cultural context etc - to be used in exhibition to expain each work.**//

**Description:** Inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s newspaper-and-transfer technique, Audacity is the first of the Geisha series. It is meant to portray the audacity of the Japanese culture in contrast to Western and even Egyptian culture. The Japanese are not afraid to depict nudity. Using a transfer technique, a stereotypical image of Japan – the Japanese hot spring baths, or onsen – was placed onto the newspaper and then painted over with acrylic paint. The same transfer technique was used to place the Japanese female. However, due to restrictions from my own cultures, I could not portray a nude body. In a sense, this painting is a combination of my own cultures and my interest in one (Japan) that is a complete contrast to them. The pattern on the kimono begins the recurring pattern in the Geisha series. Emphasis was also placed on particular subject areas using the contrasting technique of color versus monotone and transparency versus opacity (seen in the think application of opaque paint in some parts and thin transparent glazes in other parts).

//**2011-12 Grade 11 IB Student Instructions: Analysis of work - see sample in AIS IB Visual Art Handbook**// **Analysis:** **What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project?** **Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.** Cultural influences for this piece were Japanese culture and to a lesser extend Egyptian and American culture (in terms of hte perceptions of nudity in these cultures, in contrast to the perception, and acceptance of nudity in Japan). I was influenced by the technique of Rauschenberg, however visually I have not been influenced by specific artists. I should have researched artists, either in terms of paint application or composition.

**What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?** I experimented with Rausechenbergs transfer techniques, to transfer my image onto the newspaper, and traditional painting approaches, experimenting with opaque layers, vs transparent glazes.

**How do you think you have responded to advice and criticism during this project (and during the term), both from fellow students and the teacher. Did you actively seek advice? If so, was it useful?** When making this piece I trialed the transfer process and did a few quick trials on the arrangement of images - the figure in relation to the background. I asked for advice in the painting of the face as I had difficulty with the realism required in this. The size of the image and my weakness in painting realistically at this stage made this part difficult. I think I should have asked for advice earlier as I made some decisions on placement of the figure that I would change - and after seeking advice my peers agreed with me. In future I will ask for advice earlier so that I can incorporate this into my work, more trials and composition planning would have helped too.

I think that the face still needs works, this does not look Japanese enough - which I think is really due to the fact that I had to use a Google image and it was a Chinese woman rather than Japanese. The nose does not look accurate, it does not look like a typical Japanese nose and I need to to be n obviously Japanese figure in order to clearly communicate my idea. I needed to do more trials of painting faces before I tried it on the final piece. I have tried to rework this and improve it but it is still not as detailed and accurate as it could be. Other things that have contributed to weaknesses in this piece are - relying on Google images, not finding an image with appropriate kimono patterns (or practicing drawing my own), and the scale of the figure in relation to the green foliage at the back of the onsen. The kimono needs to come in front of this - this will be edited and I will also rework the face again to try to make it more realistic and obviously Japanese.
 * Clearly explain the weaknesses/areas for improvement - **

**Clearly explain the strengths of the piece –** I think that for my first acrylic painting it is realistic and this is a strength. The research and ideas behind the piece are strong and I believe that my work communicates this clearly. If I reworked areas I weakness I have identified I believe this will be a successful piece of studio work.

**What could you take through to the next project and develop further? This could be anything, from a technique to an idea, not necessarily just the theme.** I would like to continue with the image of a Geisha into a series as I find this a visually interesting image that has a lot of potential. I ahve become intersted in the Geisha and the patterns on the kimono. I wish to produce a realsitic painting and intend to do so with an image of a Geisha. Including text in my work could also be something I continue in future pieces - but I have not brainstormed this fully.