Grace XXX (name changed) May exams 2008Candidate Statement (work in progress)

In my Artwork I am trying to express the influence of society and the pressure that society has on women. I am interested in the complication and the confusion that childbirth has on women and the present day implications of medical

procedures and experiments over nature.

I had some difficulties finding the right color and medium to express the idea and I found that 2 dimensions could not always satisfy the message I wanted to communicate, so I developed various techniques that were more expressive.

I feel that my strengths are in my clear messages and strong irony towards designer babies in my artworks. Also the techniques I have used gives the artworks solitude and strengthens my statement; increasing its physical appearance and

weight.My use of the threads makes the drawing hard to be seen at glance, expressing the cloudiness and uncertainties of this whole process. My clay work creates a circle of attention and inputs visual and solid influence to the viewers, bringing

the statement to life rather than just a 2-D image. I used glass because of its fragility but at the same time it is as strong as humanity

The original idea about designer babies was inspired in the TOK Retreat where I learned about the morals and ethics on the corruption in designer babies: the loss of a child to complete another, they had no freedom of making a decision

because they don’t have a chance to choose. I am influenced by what is happening in China – how the society pressures women to have only a child and the bias on having a boy. Artists who have inspired me include the German

expressionists, Mari Meszro for her use of glass, Banksy for his social comment, Ghada Amer for the idea of using threads and Marc Quinn for his 3-D babies. The life drawing class helped me appreciate the human figure.

 

I have researched my work through the Art News magazine, news articles, galleries such as Tate Modern, books such as Fresh Cream and What is Modern Art? , local galleries and people around me.

 

I have experimented with printmaking, acrylics on board, perspex and canvas, the use of threads and wires, developed into working with clay and glass and combining all these elements.

Grace XXX Studio Work, Self Portrait, Acrylic paint and collage, 60X80cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Lino Prints with collage, edition of 12, each 40 X 100cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Lino Prints with collage, edition of 12, each 40 X 100cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Sefl Portrait, Acrylic paint on paper, 100X50cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Acrylic paint on Perspex with wires, 75X75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Acrylic paint on canvas with threads, 70X80cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Lino print on perspex, 120 X 35cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Life drawings, charcoal on paper, 55 x 75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Life drawings, charcoal on paper, 55 x 75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Life drawings, charcoal on paper, 55 x 75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Life drawings, charcoal and pastel on paper, 55 x 75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Life drawings, charcoal on paper, 55 x 75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Life drawings, charcoal and pastel on paper, 55 x 75cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Sculptures from life, clay, 20 x 20cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Torso with belt, clay, 45 x 60cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Torso, clay in front of acrylic on canvas and painted plinth, 60 x 100cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Torso, clay, 50 x 80cm

Grace XXX Studio Work, Torso, glass, 45 x 60cm

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book

Grace XXX Research Work Book