The final countdown

Wow, this year has really blown by in a whirl of creativity. My exhibition is due to be hung in a weeks time. That is a scary thought although I am ready for it and am anticipating seeing all my years of hard work hanging on the gallery walls. This is the work Fragmented (2009) which I have been dragging my heels with, but it is finally done.

Crazy week ~

This is a very amateur little creation of the small squares evolving into what I had hoped to be a recognisable image. However, the image is not at all clear and so I am having to rethink the format.

Back in Time

As an artist working on my current exhibition, my M.Tech exhibition I get so wrapped up in my current work I tend to forget where I have come from in my exploration of the female body as subject matter. I recently re-discovered my B. Tech (2006 )work whilst researching for a chapter in my dissertation. It was so wonderful to re-engage myself with the work I did then as it gave me a fresh perspective on my current work. So I though I would post a few images from that exhibition.

Untitled Four (Perfume Ad) (2006)
Mixed Media on canvas (200 x 150cm)

Untitled Six (Everyday Placemats) (2006)

2 of 7 (20 x 30 cm)

Untitled Two (Summertime) (2006)

Mixed Media on canvas

140 x 60 cm

Untitled Three (Reclining Figure) (2006)
Mixed Media on canvas

30 x 120cm, 90 x 120cm

I have only just recently bought myself a copy of John Berger's Ways of Seeing (1972). What an interesting quick read! I thoroughly enjoyed his perspective on the theory of the male gaze and very pertinent to my dissertation.

Down to the wire

I had a private freak out this afternoon when I realised how little time I have left until my exhibition. It is under two months and is very rapidly approaching. I was completely unproductive last week being so sick with tonsilitis but hopefully I can make up for it this week. I have a lot that still needs to be completed and for the most part it is my thesis which is taking forever now! I really need to get it done asap, so that it is out of my hair three weeks before my exhibition. So, work work work!!!

New Piece

I have been working on a large piece which contains of hundreds of small blocks, see below as the image starts to form.



Its still looking very incomplete but its getting there!

Debrief

13th August 2009 I had a crit of my work up until now. I am pleased with my progress so far, leading up to my exhibition at the end of the year. I really needed the advice and critique of all my supervisors, I am in touch with my two supervisors quite often but it is great when all the lecturers are around for one crit so I could get a varied idea of what is working or not.

I finally put the windows together, I had to do some DIY, but they turned out really well and they are very successful works however I still need to decide how to exhibit them.

Above: Breaking the old glass to get ready to replace the new, retro sandblasted glass.

Above: Fitting the glass

Above: Instead of using a window putty I chose to fix the glass in with silicone and wooden strips

Above: Success! It was great to finally see them finished.

Above: I want the windows to be functional, so the viewers can interact with them, opening and closing them.

Above and below: This is a work in progress, experimenting with 'box art'

Above: These small blocks are the start of a new work which will culminate in one big work. Watch this space!


Above and 2 below: Im working on a big triptych, each canvas is 170cm x 140cm. These next two images reveal the underpaintings, all of which will be concealed beneath a transulent stitched veil.

The two taller figures in this image need to stand out more, I am also in the process of adding more darks to the very white smaller figure.


This image was always very unresolved however with the addition of the veil (to be completed) it is successful.

Above: Setting up for the crit 13 August

It was great to finally see my work up on the wall. For so long I have seen them sitting on easles but seeing them on the wall made everything seem very real.

See through

Am very excited, have just bought the second window for my one new work. Have to try and find someone to help me put the glass in. The are amazing old window frames with rusty burglar guards. Im am very interested to see them finished with the juxtaposition of the sandblasted glass.

14 July 2009

I have been discussing the work of Hannah Hoch in relation to my dissertation topic and today I felt very inspired by her work. So these images are what I was working on today, working with paper and glue collage.


I started with copies of my school diary pages and have begun working on top of them.


I didn't get as far with these next two. Will continue with them tomorrow.

13 July 2009, back in my studio after July holiday

It was great getting back in my studio after a couple of weeks of dissertation writing. I jumped into my new painting (well one of three that I want to start this week) so here are some photos showing the progression of the underpainting.

New addition of stitching to 'covered boxes'

I have decided that the 'covered boxes' as seen in one of my earlier posts needed a few more clues in the realisation of the concept of the work so these stitched images have been added (well I have finished one)

My entry into the Sasol New Signatures Competition

I have decided that I will submit this piece into the Sasol New Signatures competition, I had hoped to be finished one of my newer pieces but that has not became a reality. Submission is this week tuesday and wednesday at Artspace Durban.

Works from current Penny Siopis Exhibition: For use in my dissertation

These images are from the Shame (2002) series which comprises of 50+ A5 works executed in mixed media on paper. They speak about all forms and levels of shame. The use of collage in these works is subtle and is represented through the use of imported objects such as the stamps and eyelashes etc. I think these are incredibly emotive works, which really express Siopis's intention.

The next two images forms part of the Blush (2005) series. Here Siopis's use of collaged elements, e.g. the red hair, is more obvious.


Blush: Red Head Bound (2005)

Oil, Mixed media and Found objects on board

20 x 30 cm

Blush: Scarlet (2005)

Oil, Mixed media and Found objects on paper

100 x 140 cm

Pinky Pinky (2003) is again a series of works surrounding one theme. In this case all the works deal with the notion of the Pinky Pinky legend/myth. Which tells about an asexual character which preys on children in bathrooms, especially girls. So these works came out of many discussions the artist had with children about the creature and what it looked like. The works became the artists interpretation of this mythical creature. It has been the focus of a huge body of work for the artist.

Pinky Pinky: Green Eyes (2003)

Oil and Mixed media on canvas

30.5 x 40.5 cm

Where to start?

I have had so many new ideas! Wow, so many different mediums and approaches too. Not sure where to start with them all, I really want to try an installation piece so I will think about it and try to come to some conclusion about which to proceed with and which you leave (for now)

Exhibition space December 2009 DUT Gallery

I am having my final exhibition at the Durban University of Technology Art Gallery. I have taken a few photos of the space so that I can begin thinking about how I want the space to work for me.