Click on the image to see an enlarged view.Metaphoric Self-Portrait
I’m a strong proponent of the idea that in order to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been. History has always been my favorite subject in school, and I believe in a strong relationship between the production and history of art.
My metaphoric self-portrait reflects this as the gallery at the bottom represents the contemporary art culture, while the books and ivy represent history. I have chosen a few of my favorite artists to act as “ghosts” of the art past: Jean Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Auguste Rodin. Historically speaking, these four artists have played the most important role in my development as an artist, and I wish to share their history with others. The blue figure has always been a representation of myself in my artwork. His brain is exposed to the viewer, presenting the idea that the knowledge contained inside is accessible, as it will be to my students. The Warhol Banana halo represents my idea that studying Pop Art provides the best training and preparation for contemporary artists to reflect on the society in which they live.
My Kid Pix Sketches
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Click on the image to see an enlarged view.My Brainstorm Ideas
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I really like how you demonstrated your strong belief between history and art. I also think that history is an important aspect to include in art education. However, there are other elements such as creativity, aesthetics, visual culture, and assessment that also need to be included. The ivy seems to really break the pictures into two separate parts, and it makes the image appear top heavy. Maybe adding some of the gallery elements from the bottom over the top of the books would help connect the two sections. The ivy also appears to be a very dominate image in the piece and it takes my eye away from the other elements. Through your open brain image, I like how you demonstrated your idea that knowledge will be accessible to your students. That is something all students need to to feel, and that will make your classroom a more successful place.
ReplyDeleteIt’s good to hear such a strong passion for art and how you want to teach it. It is also important to recognize where our influences come from and give credit to those before us, like you did in this work. Something bothers me with the bottom, I feel it needs something. The rest of the work has such a strong meaning in your life, what is the bottom telling us about you? I can see connections throughout the work to history and influence. The ivy acts as Ivy League in my eyes, and the elite. Overall, well done and continue to express yourself in this light.
ReplyDeleteWell I am happy that I read your artist statement. I think that it is interesting that you want to share the artists that inspired you but I wish that they were not all male. I would hate for you to put a female artist in their just to be politically correct but as a teacher you need to be more open to others as well as make sure you do not exclude any of your learners. Also, for the most part history is told from a hierarchical male perspective so I would caution you on just teaching or exposing your students to what you like.
ReplyDeleteI do feel your passion for these artists and history. However, I am a bit confused by the blue image (I thought it was a wineglasS) in the middle as well as the book. Maybe it would have been more personal to have seen a handwritten journal entry by you or have a image of a page from onE of your favorite books. You tend to be very cerebral and I think that the generic books take away from the image.
Overall, I think you create a tangible and accessible image of yourself.
I agree that history is a very important part of a quality art education. I think it is okay that you chose the artist that you did. After all this is a self portrait and it is about you and your influences. The blue figure is interesting. I see it as a chalice of some sort and I wonder if that is intentional and also, I wonder if it is something you have used in your work before. It seemed to me you were indicating that in your statement. It plays a very central role in the piece. It was the first thing I saw and it is what made me stop and look further. The separation between the bottom area and top is successful to me because it reminds me of something historical just in the way you arranged it. The ivy wrapping around the figures makes me think of a plaque or a decoration. This make the top half seem more like a portrait on the wall.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your artist statement I was able to relate to the portrait. Your ability to express your individuality and yet define yourself in a "stream" with other artists is interesting to me. I like your view of yourself as being open to your students so they may learn from you.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your representation of the brain and learning or the creation of knowledge as being fully accessible. As a teacher, this is one belief that must be nurtured and developed. As usual, your art reveals your thinking and your personality as much as your wonder and devotion to your passion.
ReplyDelete