Jade Dam
Culture
Culture
Art has the ability to share information, promote an idea, educate and enhance knowledge visually. My body of work shares a thematic relationship based on Culture. I delved deeper into the understanding of this area and explored how beauty is shown within different cultures by creating a diverse range of artwork. I wanted to take away how society looks at beauty in today's day and bring some knowledge of how beauty can be shown in different cultures. I intend, through my exhibition, to promote, educate and visually enhance the knowledge of the audience on unknown beauty and its cultural value.
In a bid to educate and change potential mindsets I encourage the viewer to follow my exhibition in a U shape starting with two artworks that are the most shocking. The audience will be encouraged to view art that many societies would consider unattractive, including body modifications and obesity. They will then move on to a piece which contrasts the beauty of obesity as it represents two “socially acceptable” body types. Putting these two pieces next to each other symbolizes that all body types are allowed to be beautiful and they both in their own ways should be given equal respect. In addition these two figures symbolize the inner beauty people have to offer. As the viewer journeys through the exhibition they will come across different mediums including photography and batik in addition to the already exhibited modroc and acrylic work. My use of differing mediums is to also show that the idea of beauty isn't just a pretty picture on a canvas but there are so many more unique ways to showcase art.
Having lived in Asia, Africa and Europe, my experiences opened my eyes to see and value so many different cultures. These experiences impacted my decision making processes and the work visualizes my personal connection as it shows an experience I have had or seen. It is this diversity of culture that I wanted to share with my audience as I aim to enhance awareness and knowledge of cultural differences and the beauty within it. The way I exhibited the work promotes this as the audience if guided to the lesser known symbols of beauty and takes them on a journey of cultural significance, it also takes them on my own art making journey as work is exhibited in the order in which they were created.
Studio Piece 1
African Earlobes (September 2020)
Modroc, acrylic, graffiti spray paint
Dimensions: 5 x 27cm x 19cm
Body modification in certain cultures is classified as beauty. African earlobes is a 3D sculpture which represents the diverse variety of body modification specifically related to ear lobes within the Maasai culture of Africa who my inspiration derived from. It is my intention to highlight how diverse beauty is and how all individuals from all cultures should be respectful, accepting and appreciative of such unique, original and cultural traditions.
Studio Piece 2
Beautiful Bumps
Acrylic
Dimensions: 100cm x 60cm
Beautiful Bumps represents types of body shapes and how they could be perceived as beautiful. In certain cultures plus sized women show wealth which holds more value. In others the larger the figure the more attractive you may be seen. Inspired by Savile Beautiful Bumps aims to highlight the beauty of the female figure in all its forms.
Studio Piece 3
Bodies Aura
Acrylic
Dimensions: 2 x 70cm x 50cm
Bodies Aura is a series consisting of two artworks which represent the Indian Holi festival, a celebration which signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love. The holiday includes playful pouring and throwing of color powders. The figures dominating the composition show inner colour which represents the inner joy and happiness that this culture brings people and their inner beauty as their Aura shows their true colors.
Studio Piece 4
Paper Necklaces
Paper, mod pod,
Dimensions: 3 x 54cm 1cm
Paper Necklaces is inspired by the love for jewelry that many traditional African people wear. Believed to bring good luck and protection against any negative energy and evil spirits around jewelry became a cultural necessity. Local people thought that the jewelry the royals wore showed beauty, therefore they started to create their own jewelry using the same technique I used to make my necklaces.
Studio Piece 5
Smiles behind the camera
Photography
Dimensions: 7 x 20cm x 15cm
Inspired by Moriyama, 'Smiles behind the Camera’ explores different ethnicities as well as different styles in which people represent themselves and their culture. I explored the streets of Zurich to find my models, asking them to simply smile in the aim of capturing the happiness and beauty of one another. Capturing the difference between cultures I also made the images black and white to show that just a big smile can represent more than a coloured photo could. I also wanted to show that no matter what skin tone or different look you have, everyone is beautiful.
Studio Piece 6
Mrs Dragon
Batik dyes, wax
Dimensions: 150cm x 50cm
Inspired by traditional Chinese patterns and symbols, Mrs Dragon is a batik aimed to promote the beauty of Chinese culture. The orchid symbolizes love and beauty whilst the dragon represents great power, luck and strength.