Creative Project

In this project I aim to explore the idea of representing themes family and loss through the appropriation of family photos using cyanotype as my main material as it’s imperative to capture the true essence of each photograph/object. I will also be exploring new ways of capturing the form or essence of an object using paper casting as a means of wrapping leaving a ‘skeleton’ or ‘shell’ of the object.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

ARTIST STATEMENT

This work consists of 7 framed artworks. I appropriated photographs taken by other family members and used cyanotype as a means to recreate the original images chosen. I wanted them to be framed in a cosy, home-like atmosphere. By using photo frames from charity shops the desired atmosphere for this piece came together. The different frames reflect the similar but unique parts of a family.

Cyanotype is a fascinating medium to use, it’s results can evoke an emotive response and it’s tone can be changed through various processes, pushing it’s boundaries further. I also experimented with paper casting as a means of capturing the essence and form of an object, in this case my gran’s watch and ring that was left to me. Creating a wrapping of a now much more significant object that is no longer worn, but displayed.

The 7 individual pieces come together to create an expressive art piece reflecting my family.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

CREATIVE PROJECT EVALUATION

For this project I chose to go down the route of appropriation. I decided to do this through researching appropriation and artists who also use this method in their work. I gathered old family photos, some of which belonged to me and the majority being taken from other family members through social media. I attempted to appropriate their handwriting as well as images. By doing this it was as if the basic essence of my family was being appropriated, family portraits and the specific use of their text created a more person project for me. I used these gathered images as a means of creating, by using the cyanotype process as the main focus throughout the project.

I decided to use cyanotype as a focal point as I wanted the piece to be commemorative and emotive, especially as my gran (who sadly passed away during this module) featured throughout the development process and final piece. I felt that cyanotype was the best medium to use for this as it proved to be the most successful way for me to recreate the images and capture the essence of the originals, but with my own creative process involved. Going forward I would manage my time better, although the results are more than I could have hoped for. I am pleased with these results as the process of creating the cyanotype prints was rather technical, time consuming and consisted of a lot of trial and error. I had to consider converting images to b&w and invert, exposure time to UV, washing then rinsing, drying time, as well as bleaching and toning when and if necessary for each image.

I tend to always gravitate towards using clay but for this project I wanted to experiment with something different, as I felt clay was too heavy and bulky to create something delicate and intricate. Continuing with my cyanotype prints, this paved the way for me to explore different ways of casting. I created various paper casts of my grans watch and ring using toilet tissue and these contributed towards my final piece and were displayed in a frame of similar colour that shared the resemblance of intricate details within the casts themselves.

Overall, I am very pleased with the results of my final piece. I wanted to create a personal wall piece and have it featured within my home. This is because I felt this was only fitting to commemorate my loved ones. Keeping the end result minimalistic and simple against a white wall background to ensure that the main focus was on the framed images alone. I am certain that I will continue to use the process of cyanotype for future studies as the process was therapeutic and as enjoyable as seeing the end result of each print.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

FINAL 10 IMAGES SUBMISSION

7 refined prints, framed and installed on wall space.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

More images, will refine to select final 10 images for module submission.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Photographs of final piece.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Results from toning to use towards final piece, I wanted to have a variety of tones rather than all blue, convey an overall vintage look to the photographs just by the change in colour.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Coffee and tea bath to leave prints to soak for my final outcome - will soak for between 1-2 hours.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

1 print - exposed for 15 minutes

2nd print - exposed for 40 minutes

3rd and 4th print - exposed for 8 minutes

I was especially happy re printing the 3rd and 4th image - previous attempts of the 4th image showed a silluhoutte of my brother and niece rather than a clear crisp image like in the photograph, exposing for less time allowed for less sunlight to shine the through any fainter detailed areas on the inkjet film. 2 very special images to me as my brother moved to Canada many years ago and my gran unfortunately passed this year. I will tone these and frame as part of my final piece.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

More paper castings using my gran’s ring and watch again as my significant objects of focus. Both back and front of the pieces. I will use these for collage as part of my final piece and frame.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Cyanotype of the beach in Costa Rica

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Paper Casting video that I followed before trying myself!

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Considering this idea of ‘wrapping’ and object and capturing its essence/form with paper casts using toilet roll tissue. Embossing my grans watch and ring, creating multiples of these and leaving to dry to photograph later on.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Quick line drawings and replicating a friends handwriting, distorting the words I’ve chosen from our memories. Obvious links to pandemic.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Using found objects within cyanotype working the overlapping images, I have also used my grans watch and ring for abstract mark making as well as trying to capture the true form of the watch and ring. I will continue to use these as a means to create, my gran is actually wearing the watch and ring in these photographs, a heart warming experience seeing this images come to life, I think it’s a fascinating medium to use, recreating memories, bad and good, life and death.

[creativeprojectchloejhiggins]

Taking some images from my time in Costa Rica which was 5 years ago now this summer! A very significant time in my life and everyone there felt like family, an unforgettable experience and these photographs are very sentimental to me (all photographs appropriated from others as phones weren’t permitted on the trip). In the 2nd image my blacks just weren’t dark enough on my transparency film and for the 3rd I feel it needed longer exposure time due to being done on the windowsill.