Assessment Post 1

If I choose abstraction over reality, it is because I consider it the lesser chaos. (Robert Brault)

For the ART246 module, I have decided to focus on tattoo design and Abstract Expressionism. Usually I am always painting for my studio work, and creating tattoo designs for my own satisfaction at home, however this year I wanted to combine the two somehow. I chose a theme of mythical tattoos as anything could be designed as a tattoo depending on personal interest, therefore I figured it would be easier to narrow the subject matter, but I still wanted to design things I enjoy and mythology has a wide spectrum of characters and monsters. I started with a series of experiments of Abstract Expressionism before advancing my practice by switching the methodology with the subject matter; therefore, I would paint my tattoo designs and use fine detail to recreate the colours of the abstract paintings. Painting my designs worked the best, therefore I continued developing that until Sophie Gibbons and I decided to develop our work together. Several artists relevant to my work include famous Abstract Expressionists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem De Konning and Clyfford Still, but also include modern breakthroughs such as Joyce Pensato, Santiago Sierra and Katy Moran.

Abstract art has come into being as a necessary expression of the feelings and thoughts of our age; it has added new dimensions to creative painting. (Leonard Brooks)