Siena
DP Visual Arts Standard Level
CURATORIAL STATEMENT
Over the course of my DP Art experience, I have composed artwork which highlight the ideas of femininity, personal identity and overcoming hardships in my life. These ideas are showcased within my pieces, allowing them to come together cohesively, telling the audience more about me as an artist and as an individual. Within the show, I will be able to engulf viewers in a range of different emotions allowing them to connect with my pieces and the meanings behind them.
My art focuses on my development in the realm of digital and mixed media specifically, with photography and using applications such as Photoshop and Affinity Suites. My work plays with a sense of depth as seen in Beyond Beauty and Escapism. I have also used colour as a means to evoke a sense of emotion, aiding in sharing the message of my pieces. For example, in Alone., I have used cool colours to add to the sense of loneliness and self-consciousness the women within the piece are experiencing. This piece further highlights my growth in using an array of brushstroke techniques, visible specifically on the women’s face and legs with the highlights and shadows. Another piece that has allowed me to show my artistic growth is Escapism. In this piece I have included rather minute details representing who I am as an individual with the audience. I challenged myself in coming up with unique ways to use my own photographs that allowed me to push my creative boundaries and explore more who I am as an individual. Through this artwork I can share with the audience my passions such as traveling, music and field hockey, but also share a weakness of mine which is finding a balance between the hustle and bustle or, city life and, tranquility represented by the ocean.
The layout of my work within the exhibition will aid in sharing the message behind each of my individual artworks, with viewers feeling cornered or trapped in an “L” shape. I would like to evoke the sense of anxiousness or confusion with the audience, felt at times during my life where I felt trapped by my emotions. I feel this layout will allow the viewers to best connect with my pieces, allowing me to lay out my art in a more suitable manner. Where Is The Love? and Beyond Beauty will both be placed at the two ends of my exhibition. From here I plan to intersperse the art mediums, pairing specific pieces together to add to their meanings. Therefore, Under Pressure will be beside Beyond Beauty showing more deeply the effects social media has on the world we live in, specifically with the perpetuation of unachievable female standards and stereotypes. Escapism will be beside Where Is The Love? as a node to my struggles balancing life which shaped who I am today. Alone. will be in the centre of the exhibition on an easel as it highlights my greatest struggle, body image and self love. Therefore, the work on either side of this piece shows my continual growth, reaching the end pieces that highlight the more positive aspects of how I have overcome hardships.
Beyond Beauty
Mixed Media20 x 24"This piece was derived from the comparison of artists Frida Kahlo and Anthony Ricciardi. Both artists are known for their use of colour, depth and incorporation of iconic figures all of which I took inspiration from to compose my piece which is representative of the identity of Audrey Hepburn, a female who inspires me. This piece highlights not only the Hollywood portrayal of Hepburn but her life afterwards surrounding humanitarianism. This artwork exhibits how we should not just look at one's physical appearance and external beauty but rather who they are as individuals and their beauty from within.
Under Pressure
Digital20 x 24"Showcasing the effects social media has on females in society, this piece dives into the adverse implications of the obsession for likes and fame. The hands reaching and pulling at the young girl represents the control social media has and its negative effects leading to the lack of self-confidence and continual comparison to ‘influencers’ and those who attract a lot of attention. It is also a reminder that not everything we see online is true, with filters and mass editing being applied prior to posting, therefore perpetuating false standards and expectations.
Alone.
Acrylic paint on canvas24 x 30"Influenced by the Expressionist style, this painting expresses the feelings of self-consciousness, a lack of self love and body dysmorphia. The cool colours incorporated adds to this sense of sadness and self doubt with the shadows of the body even blending into the dark background. However, a sense of hope is also conveyed seen with the highlights throughout the body. This is representative of my continued growth in learning to become confident within my own skin, also showcased with the large brushstrokes adding to the sense of movement, evoking a further range of emotions.
Escapism
Digital20 x 24"Escapism represents my struggle in finding a happy medium between a fast paced versus a more peaceful life. With the image of me being off center showcasing more of the city life, this further dives into my struggle to balance the two different ways of living life. This piece allowed me to challenge myself in using my own photographs in a creative manner, sharing with the audience some of my passions which the individual photos showcase and more of who I am as an individual.
Where Is The Love?
Digital20 x 18"The message of this piece relates to spreading love and respect with one another in our community and on a global scale. I have included the hands of my fellow peers in Grade 11 and 12, combining them in a random order to emulate the shape of a heart. As the form of love is different for individuals, the fact that the hands may not necessarily perfectly align or form a perfect heart aids in conveying this message. Furthermore, there is no specific or perfect way of showing love which the different combinations of hands also represent.