A reflective journal / documentation of my art process and anything that I interact with which is relative to my art practice. www.heather.meyerratken.com
Monday, 27 February 2012
Saturday, 25 February 2012
All That Is Left
the layers of history - odd curtains and mismatched fixtures add to the nostalgic mood |
the white void on the right adds peace to the mood of chaotic colours and patterns |
light falling amongst the last remnants of the family adds solemnity to the rooms |
keys are scattered and left around the house they are superfluous now |
when a building is vacated, the last objects hold small hints - they appear coded and contain no beginning or end |
open and closed spaces seemingly invite you in and shut you out - holding onto secrets |
wallpapers in cupboards provide the timeline |
the passageway echoes and sounds hollow |
missing fittings are a reminder of the vacancy |
a lone mirror seemingly floats within a floral sea like a portal |
shafts of light dance around like ghosts |
embossed wallpapers hold memories of former comforts |
a sturdy staircase feels like the skeletal backbone of the abandoned building |
a chair waits expectantly |
the empty box echoes the missing furniture mapped out by the square of odd wallpaper |
symbolic and solitary |
Sunday, 12 February 2012
moving image + things left behind
Walking along Venice beach in Los Angeles on boxing day, I came across a balloon washing in and out with the motion of the waves. The repetitive action was mesmerising and the complementary colours made it a perfect opportunity, one of those moments. I prefer the sound cut so the visual is more powerful. I couldn't help but wonder - whose party it had come from . . . . . .
I was drawn to this rust coloured leaf, suspended by a spiders web. It twirled endlessly and the repetitive, energetic movement was so captivating for me. We often walk on by these opportunities - I think it is good to notice your thoughts when you see objects like this. Especially if they are accidental like this, its a gift.
Human Hair Remnant + David Hammons
these portraits are a selection of my hairdressing work |
Using hair as a material for sculpture is relevant to my practice as my history working with hair goes a long way back. I used to be a hairdresser, cutting, sculpting and creating 3d shapes meticulously. I have been waiting for 'hair' to emerge and merge within my approach to the making of art. This has finally happened !
these balls of hair are from my hairbrush - I see this as a work in progress forever . . . . |
hair + pins |
Also Alice Anderson's works in both The Riflemaker www.riflemaker.org.uk and Freud's Museum www.freudmuseum.co.uk had a direct influence. Anderson's works were incredibly seductive materially - tying up a whole building with red hair and allowing it to extrude seemingly from the walls and fireplaces within the buildings evoked thoughts and ideas which have stayed with me.
I recently went to the Hammer Museum, L.A.http://hammer.ucla.edu/ and discovered the 70's artist, David Hammons. He worked with hair and this is so similar to what I have been doing with my balls of rolled up hair from my brush. I bought the book called 'L.A. Object' a brilliant resource related to this artist and the 70's black artists and the movement at this time. |
Setting Up a Workable Studio Space
I found it took a long time to sort out what is needed for a workable space for Printmaking. Not only does it need to be relatively dust free, it is important to have everything to hand and spaces have to flow. If this is not the case it becomes frustrating and inefficient. It took me a few times, moving things around and laying everything out to find what works for me. I have set up shelves in the middle of my working space to enable everything to be at arms length.
Basic list for print studio :
Dry - cutting paper area
Hotplate - A food warmer
Plate wiping area/sheet glass
Shelves for inks,tools and sundries
Sink/Wet area for rinsing
Print storage and blotters
Plan chest for dry prints
Large table surfaces
Desk for writing, thinking, drawing
shelves for general storage
heater for drying plates
refreshments area
relaxing area - sofa
writing and setting out a plan numerous times helped me get it together without actually moving everything initially |
Studios are an investment. They are a special space for the artist to retreat to and be creative, think, relax and dream. I will never be without a space in which to do this. It doesn't matter how big or small the space is. It can just be a table at home and rent a studio space within other printmaking groups, for example, Inkspot in Brighton. It is simply what ever suits your needs at that particular point in time. Nothing beats the feeling when the door closes and you shut the world out for a day of ' work.'
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