Self Portrait
Exhibition TextExploring deep within myself, I wanted to show both the known and unknown side of me. Things that people don't know about each other are always the most interesting, whether good or bad. This piece gives just enough into my inner self to the viewer. Nothing haunts us like the world within our minds we never say, and in being unable to fully understand it, it can actually be fun, and even mystifyingly beautiful. I show how I embrace this and both the dull and vibrant sides of me in full confidence.
|
Critical InvestigationArtist:
Robert Mapplethorpe Robert Mapplethorpe was a contemporary photographer of the 80's who was influenced by Sam Wagstaff, Cindy Sherman, Tom of Finland, George Dureau, and Wilhelm von Gloeden. He was known for taking photographs with a Polaroid camera. In 1975, Sam Wagstaff, Mapplethorpe's lover at the time, gave him a Hasselblad 2¼-inch camera that would allow him greater control and quality. Mapplethorpe would never return to the regular use of the Polaroid materials again, embracing the sophistication and precision of the new equipment that he would use to produce the later works that would bring him commercial success and artistic recognition and notoriety. Mapplethorpe first began taking instant photographs with a Polaroid camera in 1970 as a tool to create material for the collages that he was making at the time, but very shortly after, he appreciated the medium for itself, taking hundreds of pictures and eventually having a solo show in January of 1972. |
Self Portrait, Robert Mapplethorpe, 1980
"Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures." The Midlands' Most Popular Arts Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2016. "I don't like that particular word 'shocking.' I'm looking for the unexpected. I'm looking for things I've never seen before … I was in a position to take those pictures. I felt an obligation to do them." His large-scale, highly stylized black and white portraits, photos of flowers and nude men. The frank homoeroticism of some of the work of his middle period triggered a more general controversy about the public funding of artworks. |
Untitled, 1973
"Galerie Stefan Röpke, Cologne." Photography, Film & Video. Photography, Film & Video, 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2016. Behind Untitled Piece: This picture was made using a Polaroid camera. It features Mapplethorpe to the left and a flower known as Campsis rad. Flava¨. Often, Mapplethorpe used plants, mostly flowers, as subject matters. The flower usage was a delicate approach to represent sensuality. He said it was easier to "Sell the public flowers... things that they can hang on their walls without being uptight." |
Critical Investigation Continued..
Movement Techniques:
Baroque The techniques that artist used during this time period were bold colors and dramatic scenes to recreate a time in history or a religious or mythological scene. When artist painted in Baroque, they made sure to keep the body and features proportional. They made sure to blend the skin and clothing to make it seem more three- dimensional and realistic to the viewer. |
Girl with a Peral Earring- Vermeer
"15 Lovely Facts About 'Girl With A Pearl Earring'" Mental Floss. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. |
Planning and Journaling
Sketches:
Process:
Reflecting:
The overall process was actually simple. A few things stood in my way, but I actually learned quite a lot from the experience. One thing I had trouble with was finding the time to get be able to trace my picture all in one session using the projector. Multiple times I couldn't finish, so once I got back I couldn't match it up. Once I had finally gotten my image traced down, everything went smoothly from there on. Next time, I think I'll go with the grid method even though it may take longer. Another thing that was difficult was painting the nose and the water. I was really interested and curious in trying something new, which is why I went through with the experience.
My intentions for this piece were to give hints to the viewer about who I am as a person. I spaced everything out to give it balance an d a sense of unity throughout the piece. This made it seem to look very simple, even though it was heavy with meaning. The fog was to represent my secrets and things that I don't even know about myself. Its meant to be an inviting sort of fog, one that depicts a sense of playfulness in a journey of self discovery if I choose to. Myself within the portrait was to demonstrate confidence, control, kindness, and power. I chose to place maple leaves because they are my favorite. Not only for that reason, but also because it is the emblem of lovers. They are also considered as a symbol of grace, peace, serenity, and balance personified by many Asian cultures for hundreds of years. The tree represents pure elegance and an educated sense of tastefulness, which I consider myself to have. Since I am an autumn baby, and very much in love with the season, I felt it right to also place it in my canvass for this reason because Ana Japanese maple trees in gardens traditionally symbolizes the welcoming of autumn as a friend. Naturally, having a background of gray tones like Mapplethorpe had really made what I considered to be most important, to pop when I put those in color. I really liked this.
I chose to paint my self portrait using a Baroque style in my brush strokes to help with blending since I was painting and not taking pictures with a Polaroid camera. I feel that my message isn't too easy to read entirely, but I am pleased with this fact. This is because not only would not knowing drive the viewer closer to study the portrait, but also it strikes up a conversation. It gives me a chance for me to talk to my audience. I believe experiences like that are worth while.
The overall process was actually simple. A few things stood in my way, but I actually learned quite a lot from the experience. One thing I had trouble with was finding the time to get be able to trace my picture all in one session using the projector. Multiple times I couldn't finish, so once I got back I couldn't match it up. Once I had finally gotten my image traced down, everything went smoothly from there on. Next time, I think I'll go with the grid method even though it may take longer. Another thing that was difficult was painting the nose and the water. I was really interested and curious in trying something new, which is why I went through with the experience.
My intentions for this piece were to give hints to the viewer about who I am as a person. I spaced everything out to give it balance an d a sense of unity throughout the piece. This made it seem to look very simple, even though it was heavy with meaning. The fog was to represent my secrets and things that I don't even know about myself. Its meant to be an inviting sort of fog, one that depicts a sense of playfulness in a journey of self discovery if I choose to. Myself within the portrait was to demonstrate confidence, control, kindness, and power. I chose to place maple leaves because they are my favorite. Not only for that reason, but also because it is the emblem of lovers. They are also considered as a symbol of grace, peace, serenity, and balance personified by many Asian cultures for hundreds of years. The tree represents pure elegance and an educated sense of tastefulness, which I consider myself to have. Since I am an autumn baby, and very much in love with the season, I felt it right to also place it in my canvass for this reason because Ana Japanese maple trees in gardens traditionally symbolizes the welcoming of autumn as a friend. Naturally, having a background of gray tones like Mapplethorpe had really made what I considered to be most important, to pop when I put those in color. I really liked this.
I chose to paint my self portrait using a Baroque style in my brush strokes to help with blending since I was painting and not taking pictures with a Polaroid camera. I feel that my message isn't too easy to read entirely, but I am pleased with this fact. This is because not only would not knowing drive the viewer closer to study the portrait, but also it strikes up a conversation. It gives me a chance for me to talk to my audience. I believe experiences like that are worth while.
Critique:
You can see the artist connection if you know the artist and the specific photograph that I was inspired by. Similarities between my piece and Mapplethorpe's would be things like how I used a leather jacket. I really liked the kind of effect it had on me, and boosting my confidence levels. I felt a sense of that cool that Mapplethorpe always showed off in his pictures. I liked the idea of plants representing sensuality, and so I placed a plant with that meaning and many other meanings I was also trying to convey in the right side of my canvass, providing balance.
Differences between my piece and Mapplethorpe's would be that obviously my face isn't facing the same angle as Mapplethorpe's Untitled piece. This is because I found that I didn't like how my face looks at that angle as much as the angle I used in my painting. Mapplethorpe made sure he looked great in all his pieces, being the very essence of cool, and I felt the need to adjust by doing the same to what best suited me. I used the plant to the right, but I did not use the same plant. Instead I used maple leaves. Because I didn't want to keep it completely dull, I thought to make it more interesting by adding color to the parts that I felt matter most. It really helps convey the message, and draws more attention from the viewer.
Differences between my piece and Mapplethorpe's would be that obviously my face isn't facing the same angle as Mapplethorpe's Untitled piece. This is because I found that I didn't like how my face looks at that angle as much as the angle I used in my painting. Mapplethorpe made sure he looked great in all his pieces, being the very essence of cool, and I felt the need to adjust by doing the same to what best suited me. I used the plant to the right, but I did not use the same plant. Instead I used maple leaves. Because I didn't want to keep it completely dull, I thought to make it more interesting by adding color to the parts that I felt matter most. It really helps convey the message, and draws more attention from the viewer.
Connecting to ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause and effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork.
I used plants and gray tones to my advantage in my self portrait to help convey my meaning. I used his a leather jacket, as he is known for. I also tried to re-stage Mapplethorpe's Untitled piece from 1973, but with my own twist.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
Mapplethorpe challenged viewers to consider his portraits, flowers, and sexually explicit images as something equal to express without shame. He considered it to be a form of personal vision.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that Mapplethorpe challenged a lot of viewers. People were really uncomfortable at times when viewing his images, others felt them to be beautiful. He made people question things. At times, he took them out of their comfort zone, while trying to reassure them, telling them that it was OK.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme behind my research was was revealing who you are as a human being, doing the things you do, without being ashamed of it. It inspired me.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I feel that Mapplethorpe must have had backlash from people when they viewed his explicit images, which is why he must have resorted to plants. He must have needed the money, so he had to conform and adjust to society for a little while. This teaches me to always be to date if I want to be successful as an artist.
I used plants and gray tones to my advantage in my self portrait to help convey my meaning. I used his a leather jacket, as he is known for. I also tried to re-stage Mapplethorpe's Untitled piece from 1973, but with my own twist.
What was the overall approach (point of view) the author (form your research) has regarding the topics of your inspiration?
Mapplethorpe challenged viewers to consider his portraits, flowers, and sexually explicit images as something equal to express without shame. He considered it to be a form of personal vision.
What kinds of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that Mapplethorpe challenged a lot of viewers. People were really uncomfortable at times when viewing his images, others felt them to be beautiful. He made people question things. At times, he took them out of their comfort zone, while trying to reassure them, telling them that it was OK.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The theme behind my research was was revealing who you are as a human being, doing the things you do, without being ashamed of it. It inspired me.
What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
I feel that Mapplethorpe must have had backlash from people when they viewed his explicit images, which is why he must have resorted to plants. He must have needed the money, so he had to conform and adjust to society for a little while. This teaches me to always be to date if I want to be successful as an artist.