Fantasy Aquarium I
Watercolour and ink on paper, 30 x 46 cm
This started as a watercolour doodle where I explored mark-making using just the two colours magenta and yellow in liquid watercolours. Then I followed the shapes and forms that developed with ink lines to create a sense of definition. The result reminded me of strange underwater creatures foating in water, hence the title.
Fantasy Aquarium II
Oil pastel and watercolour on paper, 30 x 46 cm
Taking up the aquarium topic from the first painting, I took a different and more literal approach. I remembered the goldfish aquarium I used to have as a child and created an underwater scenery with different kinds of fish and some sand and stones. The oil pastel elements served as a resist when I painted the blue wash on top to represent the water.
Self Portrait
Pen and watercolour on paper, 46 x 30 cm
Self-portraits tend to be a difficult subject for me, both technically and emotionally. The idea was to overcome the hesitation by making a quick and unpretentious sketch, not worrying too much about likeness.
Rejection of Identity (R)
Painted materials collage on board, 54 x 42 cm
This self-portrait was inspired by Natalie’s ‘Expectations’ portrait (August 2016). I took on the idea of emotional expression and developed the piece intuitively as a materials collage which was then painted. The face was created from toothpicks and paper machée, then overpainted for a more human-like appearance. It’s a visual representation of how uncomfortable I feel in my skin in my current professional identity, while trying to pretend that I’m playing the game.
The Friendly City (R)
Painted materials collage on cardboard, 28 x 38 cm
This piece was inspired by the visual elements in Natalie’s ‘White house’ (August 2016). Geometric paper shapes were glued on styrofoam, then cut out and assembled into a citiscape. They were decorated with green tissue paper for trees and bushes, and with painted paper butterflies, to create a friendly and joyful environment around the austere geometry. It is my response to being in the big city of New York, always searching out the spaces with greenery which make the city livable.
Landscape with tubular elements (R)
Painted materials collage on cardboard, 41 x 30.5 cm
I responded to the visuals of the long tubular shapes in Natalie’s ‘Inside the cupboard’ (August 2016) and transferred the abstract concept into an imaginary landscape. In my piece, I focused on shapes and textures and tried to include interesting visual and haptic contrasts.