Final Major Project Evaluation
When approaching the end of my course I was instructed to complete a concluding project titled “Final Major Project”. This project would allow me to produce my own portfolio of work that revolved around an entirely personal concept. With this opportunity I labelled my project “Mutated Conceptualisation”. The ambition set for this project was to explore the balance between unrealistic realism in order to expose how our distorted perception of normality determines what is considered abnormal. By depicting this idea through mutation, it portrays how an aspect of naturalism can be seen to be peculiar and grotesque. Even so, when reflecting on this aspiration, I now believe I was able to successfully present a showcase of work which correctly follows this statement. This is because I have incorporated realistic themes within my work that relate to the viewer but are presented in obscure ways which do not completely visually convey a sense of realism at first glance. This includes the representation of the human body and its surrounding environment.
Leading up to this I revisited areas of my pathway projects to solidify potential ideas to pursue. This included traditional and digital methods ranging from material manipulation, painting, texture development, and sculpture to photography, and digital illustration. However, alongside this I knew I desired to explore unfamiliar techniques to enrich my skill set further. At the time I knew this decision was a potential risk as experimenting with new art forms could result in my showcase appearing more unsuccessful and unrefined. Still, during this project I explored new techniques such as embroidery, pattern swatches, videography, and 3D modelling. These new artistic methods aided the development of my final project and even succeeded in enhancing my exhibition.
Still, throughout the development of this project several influencers acted as a source of inspiration for my work. This includes artists such as David Deweerdt and Andy Singleton as well as books and visits, “The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Art Book” and the “Warner Bro’s. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter”. These collectively encouraged me to use art as a way of expressing realistic themes in an unrealistic way; whether they be emotively driven or purely imaginative.
Besides this, to maintain an open minded approach towards my experimentation I participated in numerous group critiques. These helped me understand an outsider’s view of my work and improve them where recommended. Alongside these critiques I also reflected on my own work through recording my studies in a sketchbook and journal. This documentation of my daily progression enabled me to reflect and review the ideas I have investigated to determine what was and was not successful. Still, I found my own personal documentation the most beneficial as it allowed me to collect my thoughts and identify my own flaws and strengths within my work. This is because in comparison to the other student’s observations, I have the clearest understanding of my style and aspirations.
While progressing further towards the final stages of my project I began the development of my final exhibition. I set out with the aspiration to visually depict an aspect of the human anatomy within the setting of a natural environment. While doing this, I was heavily inspired by Antony Gormley’s “Another Place” due to his ability to depict a relation between man and nature and how the overgrown fungus creates the appearance of physical mutation. This concept shares similarities to the meaning conveyed throughout my exhibition as I used an environment to portray the contrast between the lived in – the body and the earth. Conversely, unlike Gormley I reversed the vocal point of my art and focused the attention towards the environment rather than the human form. During this time I was met with complications which resulted in the alteration of my design. However, this caused me to think outside the box and work with alternative materials to complete my intended outcome. Thus forcing me to conclude decision making within a short time frame in order to remain within my assigned timescale. Still, in regards to the exhibition I displayed I believe it was a successful conclusion to my final project as it depicted a hidden relation between both natural forms. This is because the visuals portrayed a natural representation of internal mutation. By supporting the work with an underlying meaning it causes my environment to be perceived in an alternative way. Thus resulting in the visuals alternating from appearing normal to abnormal through the imagery they represent. Still, by presenting the environment both physically and digitally it enhances the contrast between the reachable and unreachable forms of the body and earth as only one can be accessed easily below the surface.
Overall, I am proud of the work I have produced during my “Final Major Project” as it has acted as an ideal closure for this course. This is because I have been able to incorporate aspects of all my pathway projects into this singular assignment in order to present my definitive style. Still, this project has allowed me to discover my true potential within the art industry and has allowed me to solidify a specialism to pursue in future. This is because I have been able to explore my own unrestricted concepts without adhering to overhanging project themes normally assigned throughout similar courses.
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