NORWICH UNIVERSITY OF ARTS
ieva Kaminskaite
[ yeva :come in sky te: ]
1902642
ASU2
Award Specific Unit 2
Learning Agreement
Note: Learning Agreements are saved as PDF files and should open in a new window.
Creative Body of Work
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Dead Body
Dead Body is a creation of imagination and tiredness.
Trip to Norwich takes almost 3 hours from where I live, so early mornings and late evenings were quite common.
On one of those journeys back I swear I saw a dead body. Covered just with white sheet and black shoes sticking out. In a little forest by the A47. No one was around. I could not shake that vision off. So one day I decided to paint it.
In later journeys I saw so much fly tipping and rubbish by the roads. I thought this is it, I could use dead body to bring attention to these causes.
I believe Dead Body is character that found me and could be a platform to raise awareness.
Research File
ZHIYONG JING
Zhiyong Jing says he paints “dreams, bodies and absurd realities.” The Beijing-based artist takes a surprising approach to scale in his work, often rendering distant figures on small canvases. The effect is cinematic, further underscored by the artist’s occasional use of pop culture references and characters.
https://hifructose.com/2019/12/17/the-small-cinematic-paintings-of-zhiyong-jing/
I found this artist just after I decided to move forward with Dead Body character. For a second I thought they are way too similar, I might need to stop what I am doing. It's OK - his guy is alive.
I really like the scale of his artworks. He films a lot in the making and it seems quite simple, no intense colour mixing or techniques. Being a fan of humour and absurd I could say- it's my cup of tea.
AMONG THE TREES
I was looking forward to this exhibition on our trip to London. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Not long ago I noticed that they sort of made it available online. It is not a complete tour of the exhibition, but still nice to have a mini experience of what we could have seen. Also, it is always a plus to have a commentary from Hayward Gallery director. Front seat!
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/hayward-gallery-art/among-the-trees
Photo below:
Eva Jospin
Forest (2014)
AFARIN SAJEDI
She has several motifs she enjoys portraying; however, whether she is depicting following her Japanese inspiration, her clowns, or her theatrical characters, she mostly portrays women. Afarin Sajedi's stunning paintings are characterised by a central figure on a plainly coloured background, which is often cut by living elements and objects that cross a mystic scenario.
Last term I picked Miss Van because of similarity of her characters and how by adding different details to it can change the idea or mood of the painting.
Afarin is one of my favourites too and just recently noticed the resemblance. One thing that I really like about her paintings, it seems without a struggle to impress or fit into norms. It looks like she likes what she does and so everybody else.
19TH CENTURY DOLLS
I found a great collection of 19th century dolls on Art&Culture app (Google). In relation to pancake faces, a lot of them had red cheeks, some of them had similar head shape.
This particular head is made by Kloster Veilsdorf (porcelain manufacturer) (1850-1860) in Germany.
Most of the early doll heads made in Germany in the mid-19th century had black hair and blue eyes. Some doll heads made in the late 19th century had blond hair. Rare doll heads had brown hair or brown eyes. Almost all doll heads depicted women or girls. Few heads represented men or boys. China heads with glass eyes were also uncommon.
FERNANDO BOTERO
Colombian figurative artist and sculptor, born in Medellín. His signature style, also known as "Boterismo", depicts people and figures in large, exaggerated volume, which can represent political criticism or humour, depending on the piece.
I found this artist on Google app Arts&Culture. It brought me confused feelings as I have not seen anything as similar to pancake faces before, and now I know Boterismo style. I hope not too have too much of the influence.
https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/fernando-botero/m01ry44?hl=en
PETER DOIG
Scottish artist, who now works and lives in Trinidad.
Many of Doig's paintings are landscapes, somewhat abstract, with a number harking back to the snowy scenes. He draws inspiration for his figurative work from photographs, newspaper clippings, movie scenes.
In a way I find similarities to one of my characters - Dead Body and the scenery I created for it. The figure in the painting rather disappearing, quite abstract but still playing an important role.
SIDNEY NOLAN
Sir Sidney Nolan was one of Australia's leading artists of the 20th century. His oeuvre is among the most diverse and prolific in all of modern art. He is best known for his series of paintings on legends from Australian history, most famously Ned Kelly, the bushranger and outlaw. Nolan's stylised depiction of Kelly's armour has become an icon of Australian art.
I found this artwork close to my created theme Dead Body. The simplicity of the figure, quite ordinary landscapes. The only character, in my opinion, which was standing out, was the robot. It definitely made paintings look comical and quirky.
FRANCESCA DALLA BENETTA
Her work characterised by anatomies and mixed forms: human faces and bodies are combined with different textures and skins, giving birth to hybrid beings. Through unusual, bizarre and surreal bodies, her work focuses on the issues of transformation, identity, sense of belonging, the connection between human beings, the cosmos and the divine.
DAVID HENRY BROWN JR.
INSANITY or FREEDOM.
I found him by these humorous and disturbing self-portraits installations, structures and collages over his head. Some looked really nasty, though the most important thing is, it looks like he is having time of his life and opening his mind to absolute creativity.
I admire the feel of freedom and craziness and believe every artist should feel as free as this artist is.
His Instagram name is David Henry Nobody Jr.
https://www.davidhenrybrownjr.com/
FRIDA KAHLO
I cannot believe my research file contains such popular artist like Frida Kahlo. In my opinion being overused figure through art and design. Despite that, she still has powerful magic to offer. And I always wanted to go to her museum.
As quarantine brought isolation, it also brought amazing experiences, like virtual museum and gallery visiting.
I found it on Time Out London, later it was shared by many others online.
List of galleries was quite long, not all of them had ability to stop and look at artworks. That's why 10 out 10 goes to Frida's museum as it was a great experience and a warm gust of Mexico wind of my own home comfort.
https://www.timeout.com/news/take-a-virtual-tour-of-frida-kahlos-dazzling-mexico-city-home-042920
JAMES GLEESON
Gleeson's themes generally delved into the subconscious using literary, mythological or religious subject matter. He was particularly interested in Jung's archetypes of the collective unconscious.
The works outwardly resemble rocky seascapes, although in detail the coastline's geological features are found to be made of giant molluscs and threatening crustacea. These grotesque, nightmarish compositions symbolise the inner workings of the human mind.
I was fascinated by this painting.
Because I have quite vivid (at times frightening) dreams, especially during this lock-down, I thought this might be a new turn to either pancake faces or dead body.
EXHIBITIONS
Before any work was completed or it was more or less in process it did not feel right to look for gallery spaces or opportunities. Despite that, we had an 'Underground Ties' exhibition in the planning with fellow students. Later on, one of the curation students suggested to book space in the Studio 20 and create like a little pancake face world for a day or two.
Due to Covid-19 all plans had to be cancelled.
It took me sometime to realise the situation and get my head around it.
I submitted to open calls for:
ARTJOBS.com - Artist of the month (May). Fee $16
Gallery M&Art agents - Magazine cover and article.
Social Isolation - Inclusion of your work and interview in the printed art zine.
Visual Art Open Awards - many prizes. Fee £15 per artwork.
United Nations Global Call Out
Also, submitted to BAP.
A few more exhibitions caught my eye, however, in these uncertain times I did not want to pay fee and would not be able to participate and or be able to send my work there.
