Overall Comments
This is an interesting submission raising issues of what meaning we want to communicate and how this can be done. In this assignment you have outlined your intentions and these has been underpinned by analysis of your thinking and critical process in developing the ideas. The images indicate that you were comfortable working within the selected theme and that you have an obvious empathy with the ideas inherent in the subject. Although the production of these images is relatively straightforward the interpretation of meaning is not so clear to the viewer. From your personal perspective the work is redolent with meaning but how can you relate these experiences and feelings to an audience? From reading your learning log I can see that the work can be interpreted in an autobiographical sense and/or may also be viewed as a portrait. However, if the viewer cannot connect to this aspect of the work it may end up as being seen as simply a series of images of a skull and the symbolism that it denotes in a general sense. At another level the images may symbolically and literally act as a mask and reveal little about any deeper meaning. This mask could be the point of the exercise, as these are personal images perhaps becoming a memento mori with the subject’s meaning remaining invisible to the viewer. The notion of what can or indeed should be revealed in a photograph is an interesting concept and perhaps could form the basis of further research.
Overall aspects of this work may be unresolved but you have not been afraid to challenge yourself in this particular situation by adopting a conceptual approach to the work. This is leading to greater confidence in engaging with new ideas and developing them beyond the immediate.
subject’s meaning remaining invisible to the viewer. The notion of what can or indeed should be revealed in a photograph is an interesting concept and perhaps could form the basis of further research.
Overall aspects of this work may be unresolved but you have not been afraid to challenge yourself in this particular situation by adopting a conceptual approach to the work. This is leading to greater confidence in engaging with new ideas and developing them beyond the immediate.
Feedback on assignment
There is a competent level of technical skill in the work with the use of appropriate equipment.
The individual images are unadorned and composed in a straightforward manner that leaves the viewer time to consider the objects within the image. The final presentation of the work needs to be addressed as the blue images in the set are much too dark. I would also say that although I like the ideas behind the images, I find that the influence of Warhol is too close in the final piece and leaves your intentions a bit unresolved. However, I could see this project developing either with individual images or a multiple image that might include the use of hand written text that would be relevant to the subject matter.
Of course, there are other ways of resolving your intentions in this piece. See further comments under research.
It is good that you experimented with different lighting approaches in making the work. The method that you used harks back to the early days of photography and the additive process. I would like to have seen you investigate in greater detail the potential for mixing colours. The idea for projecting the work opens up some interesting possibilities for future work.
This has been a good attempt to investigate complex ideas and the work has been underpinned by critical analysis and research in an attempt to resolve the issues.
Coursework
You have followed the prescribed exercises and produced some interesting work particularly with the stone and cyanotype images. This evidences a desire to produce meaningful images rather than just illustrating the exercises.
Research
You have engaged with a wide range of research and this is starting to impact upon how you are approaching your work. There is a sense now that you are maturing as a practitioner and eager to engage with demanding projects in a reflective manner.
As you used colour as a dominant theme in the work submitted, I would like to have seen some in-depth research into the nature of colour. This would prompt consideration on the symbolic nature of different colours and how they are interpreted across diverse cultures.
Learning Log
The learning log is developing with good research and activities undertaken pertinent to the assignment. I was taken by the openness in it in relation to personal experience Your comments and responses to research are positive and there are indicators of future projects contained in it. Do develop some of your lines of enquiry as they can lead to interesting ideas that can turn into work. Your remarks in relation to putting off visiting specific places will strike a chord with many particularly at this time. I wonder how we could visualize the concept of missed opportunities?
Pointers for the next assignment / assessment
Continue to select texts for critical reading appropriate to the assignment
Continue to develop your learning log and illustrate with your own work and that of other practitioner. Allow time to consider alternative approaches to the work.
Suggested reading/viewing
http://www.clerkmaxwellfoundation.org/html/first_colour_photographic_image.html
https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/a-short-history-of-colour-photography/
http://www.arttherapyblog.com/online/color-meanings-symbolism/#.X708QC-l3f9
https://www.color-meanings.com/#red
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/memento-mori
Summary
| Strengths | Areas for development |
| Good development in engagement with prescribed research. Good working of prescribed exercises Exploration of new techniques and approaches to work. | Research in greater depth specific areas relevant to own work. Engage in developing technical skills as an ongoing process. Develop reflection as an integral part of practice |
Jenna Powell - Expressing Your Vision 