Project 2012

I used the notebook this year simply as a sketchbook. I carried around the notebook and sketched any ideas that came into my head. I used the notebook in this way to give an incite into the beginning of my creative process. Within the notebook I experimented with different types of materials from pencils to collage. The time frame that the notebook spanned was June to August. As well as giving an look at the start of my creative process it also reminds me, but unfortunately more than likely not the viewer, of certain invents throughout the period such as the birth of my nieces. The book contains original sketches that lead to the creation of a kids book to celebrate their birth. It also contains visual interpretations of story's and conversations that where overheard around the city weather it be in the park or in the pub. From the sketches in the notebook a kids book, paintings and poems have evolved. The notebook can be used as a powerful starting point for any artists.

 

Project 2013

In this project I decided to take the pages out and rearrange them to create two paintings that could fold back up to the original dimensions. The first piece is meant to show how the media as well as other forces such as lobbyist and multinational companies can put out a false view of society or people. The subject used here is that of the role of women in society. The fashion and “beauty” industry sexualise women with imagery that is a false representation. This can create a sexist view of women within society and has a negative effect on women, especially young women and teenagers, by creating an unrealistic view of how women should look. This work was inspired by photos and memories of a holiday I was on eleven years ago. Memories are only based in our own perception of things and often hide the reality of situations and it is only by gaining information from different sources that I could begin to look at this holiday in a more realistic way. Only through debate can these misrepresentations be fully rejected and a more real analysis be gained. The second piece asks how can we fight back from attacks on workers rights and austerity. Although we have seen battles such as the campaign against home and water taxes in Ireland, protest against draconian laws in Turkey and countless protests in Greece and other countries around the world, they have not created any real change. With weak leadership in the unions, who are meant to be fighting for workers rights and for a better society, we feel even more powerless. What we need to do is realise how much power we actually have. We should not leave fear or feelings of powerlessness incapacitate us. Only through solidarity and action can we force change.