Tracey Moffatt
'Tracey Moffatt is one of the artists who transformed photographic practice in Australia in the late 20th century.
Tracey Moffatt
Something More #1, 1989, from the series Something More. Cibachrome print.
Above: Tracey Moffatt, Something More series, 1989, comprising six direct positive colour photographs and three gelatin silver photographs. Collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Read about the series Something More and investigate the work of Tracey Moffatt on the National Gallery of Australia website. Click on the button below to access the website.
Activity
1. When you have read about the artwork and artist, use the conceptual framework to help you write a one-page analysis of the artist Tracey Moffatt and the artwork Something More #1, 1989. Use paragraph format. Write a first draft of your response, then edit it carefully before uploading it to your shared digital platform.
- When writing about the artist, consider the following questions: Who are they? Where were they born? Did they study art? Where? What other artists/ideas have influenced their practice? What is their cultural heritage? Is this evident in their work? What issues/values/ideas does she explore in her work? How successful is this artist?
- When writing about the artwork consider the following questions: What materials and techniques were used? How was it made? When? For whom was it made? Where can it be seen now? What ideas does the work convey? How? How are conventions or signs and symbols used? How is a visual language used to convey meaning? (Here refer to the elements of mise en scène, including colours, composition (including the arrangement of the figures), lighting and setting.)
Tracey Moffatt
Invocations 5, from the series Invocations, 2000, Print and photograph, 146.0 x 122.0 cm
'Invocations', 200 took two years to realise: one year in the studio in New York with sets and models constructing and shooting each scene, and one year working with printer Gene Licht in order to create the necessary effect and results. Between 15 and 25 silkscreens were used in order to build up richly textured surfaces which enhance the illusions set up within each frame. The subtlety of colour, tone and depth is seductive and brings in to play additional references to painting as well as printmaking.
There are three parts to the series: the little girl in the forest; the woman and man in the desert; and the spirits which appear in the rondels. The little girl lost in the forest is familiar from childhood fairy tales, and the style of this part of the series is reminiscent of Disney movies (cartoon trees which are anthropomorphic and so on). The childhood imaginary is coloured by fairy tales (eg. Brothers Grimm) and by popular film (eg. Fantasia).
The larger works draw on film references from Hitchcock's 'The Birds', to 'Mandingo' as much as they do on the Spanish artist Goya. The nature of fear and horror, obsession, passion, fight and flight - these extremes of emotion are all played out through the figures of the man and woman with ghostly spirits or their manifestations in other forms looking on.'
Invocations 11
from the series Invocations, 2000, Print and photograph, 109.0 x 96.5 cm sheet
Invocations 1
from the series Invocations, 2000, Print and photograph, 122.0 x 146.0 cm sheet
Artmaking Activity
Note: Adobe Photoshop is available for all NSW Department of Education students to download.
This activity might take several lessons.
2. Take inspiration from Tracey Moffatt's Invocations series and develop ideas for an artwork that similarly explores mythology, dark fairy-tales and the imagination.
- Start by considering some of the myths, legends and fairy-tales you remember. Jot down your ideas on paper or in a digital journal. Make notes on the narrative, the key characters and significant objects, locations or features. Can you find any artists'representations of the narrative/s? Add some examples to your document.
- Select one myth from which to take your inspiration and sketch plans for a photograph or digital media work inspired by it. You should not aim to represent the story in an obvious or literal manner. Your image should have some mystery. The artwork could be a still-life (an arrangement of carefully selected objects) or you could use actors and objects/props which you can easily access. Draw up and annotate your plans for your artwork. If you are able to access Photoshop then you can plan to manipulate your image using this program or any similar digital program.
- Upload your sketches and notes on the various details of mise en scène to a shared platform and seek advice from two peers in your class about your efforts. Ask each peer to write you some feedback on your idea, identifying two strengths and one area for further consideration.
- When you have sought and received peer feedback, prepare to take the photograph you need. If you are able to use Photoshop you might take a few photographs that are then layered into the one image. You will need to consider lighting. You might want to take the image early in the morning or just as the sun is setting. You could also consider using lamps and other lighting in your house. Be aware of all of the objects you include in the scene. Do they need to be there? What do they tell the audience? Carefully consider your costume, hair, makeup (if relevant) and pose. You might need to ask a family member to take the photo for you. What point of view will you use?
- When you are ready, ensure that you take several shots so you can look through them and choose the one that is the most effective.
- If you are going to manipulate your imagery in Photoshop you might want to try adding texture, or using layered masks. You might even use found imagery for your background, such as an image (previously taken or found online) of a forest or an empty field. Click on the button below to visit the Adobe website and read some simple tutorials about these techniques.
- Give your artwork a title and write a brief artist's statement of two or three sentences, outlining your concept. Upload your completed artwork to your shared digital platform for feedback from your teacher.