Workshop surrounding telling stories and producing work from the everyday- focusing on politics and representation

For this workshop surrounding telling stories and producing work from the every day, we were tasked to generate artwork and visually present concepts inspired by newspapers and media. Personally, I quickly decided to shy away from the more harsh, shocking and emotive stories currently within the media and news, opting to choose a much more ironic, humorous and politically driven concepts in my work. In effect also adding elements of juxtaposition within my work that I can look to develop throughout my project through my ability to turn an area, which can be often overwhelming and distressing, into a much more light hearted and humorous approach.

 Having flicked through some newspapers, I was drawn to the headings and stories surrounding British politics and in particular Boris Johnson. Still trying to keep my work light hearted and humorous I was intrigued by the stories surrounding his representation, image, controversial stories and actions within Brexit, recent scandals and his overall image as a prime minister. As a starting point after finishing my mind map and idea generation I began by sketching out some possible concepts and possible products that could use to form my physical representation of telling stories. Doing so by collecting numerous headlines, typography and images from my paper, building a bank of material I could use to create and incorporate into my final piece. A few of the key areas and design concepts I wanted to integrate my work were playing on words and headlines such as 'The Guardian' and the irony that this might infer with people's views on Boris‘s actions and affairs. Alternatively, I looked at the possibility of super imposing and collaging some of my collected imagery onto celebrities and images that added humour and irony to my work. To do so, I chose to resize and copy my images of Boris, allowing me to have multiple elements to then create my collage with. Some of my key visuals I planned to create where nods to his scruffy appearance, by collagen him onto a long-haired scruffy white dog, likewise I looked at him being placed onto sportsman and comics, relating to his recent scandals and questionable actions. For example, his actions within Brexit, Covid as well his many scandals including his so called ‘drinking parties’. 

These images display my initial creative process and physically visualising of my ideas and concepts. As you can see in my mind map above, I thought of many possible outcomes that I could create within my work, however ended up choosing to create a balaclava style garment accessory. Taking a nod to how not only we may feel the need to be protected from some of his questionable actions, but also how he may wish to hide due to his presentation and representation within society. Again reinforcing irony, humour and hidden meaning within my work's key concepts I wish to develop and carry out throughout my project. My use of college could also link back to how there are many issues and concepts relating to British politics that build over time to create a final bigger picture, and in my case a balaclava. 

I chose to use my physical newspaper cuttings to challenge my use of materials and reuse, recycle and repurposing materials that’s already exist. Something that’s not just a more ethical and sustainable way of creating art, but also allows me to challenge my techniques and skills introducing me to innovative and more inspiring concepts and techniques. Something I looked out within my last project and one I wish to continue throughout the creative process. I chose to personally build my balaclava around a ceramic mould, allowing me to have a stable base structure to work upon. One which I then covered in cling film to help protect the mould and allow me to hopefully remove my papier-mâché product once dried. Initially beginning by laying a collage, patchwork style of newspaper cut outs and text to create a base I could then build on top of. Next going onto refine and develop my superimposed images and Boris related features, carefully composed to cover my work, creating a final product I am very happy and pleased with and I feel I can look back to inspire future work. 

Final product once dried and solidified. In reflection I feel I can look to possible continue developing this piece by working back into and adding mark making within some of my superimposed imagery or text, helping to highlight and draw tension to certain elements within my work that I wish to portray to audiences further. Even possibly looking to develop and add some of my initial sketches from my mind map, pushing more detail, context and emphasis on areas within my work. Overall however, I’m very pleased with how I feel I've been able to portray some key concepts within the irony, humour and hidden meanings I wished to visualise within my work. Putting a more ironic and humorous spin on something that is fairly serious and current within society. All areas and concepts I can look to continue to develop and integrate within this project, as well as the use of processes such as collage, papier-mâché and use of alternative materials and integration of current affairs and concepts within society into my work.

Within this workshop we also looked at artists that worked within the storytelling and producing work form the every day too. Two of which (as you can see below) I was particularly inspired by and looked to integrate within my own work. All of which I could too look to further research, allowing my work to be inspired and developed by some of their key concepts and qualities.

'I Deal/Home' - collage on paper by Wheatcroft 

'Careering' - collage and banknote on paper by Wheatcroft 

​Wheatcroft based in Kent, England began by working mainly as a painter, but progressed to specialise in one-off, original collages and hand pulled screen prints. Often inspired by his large collection of vintage magazines, old books and stamps he could find at charity shops, antique markets, family bookshelves and eBay. Resulting in many of his creations being led by materials he finds, often beginning with an image, and randomly adding other images until an idea starts to emerge and develop to reinforce the final concept. Often meaning that the initial image may not actually feature directly in the final piece, but instead act as a starting point.

I was really drawn to Wheatcroft's integration of irony, humour, politics and hidden messages/meanings presented within his work. Specifically his college, as you can see above, inspiring me to look further into the collage and papier-mâché techniques. I also was really drawn to his careful composition and use of colour within his work, enabling him to highlight and draw attention to key areas within his pieces. Lastly, I was interested by his use and integration of alternative materials, such as banknotes in his 'Careering' collage. Inspiring me too to use alternative materials and processes within my work.

"Slogan t-shirts are designed to put ideas in your brain. You can’t not read them. They make you think, and hopefully do the right thing.” Katharine Hamnett

Hamnett is an English fashion designer best known for her political activism and influential slogan T-shirts often presented in the media and worn by many celebrities. Going onto set up Tuttabankem with Anne Buck in 1969 and then becoming a freelance fashion designer in 1975 throughout London, Paris, Milan, New York and Hong Kong until she founded the Katharine E. Hamnett clothes label in 1979.

Personally really drawn to how Hamnett visualised and portrayed key theories and messages in the form and scale of fashion, a platform and outlet invaluable to spreading a message and belief to the greater society. A key concept that helpped inspire me to create a wearable garment to tell stories from the everyday. Similarly, allowing audiences to visualise and contextualise my key concepts and meanings. I also loved her simple compositions and use of typography to portray her messages in a very direct, polished and concise manner, almost like a wearable, never ending protest banner. All aspects and design concepts I can look to further use as inspiration and develop within the future.

Viktor & Rolf SPRING 2019 COUTURE ‘Fashion Statements’ collection

“To what extent can you say something with clothing, literally” 

Irony, hidden messages, elements of juxtaposition and humour can also be clearly seen within this collection by Viktor & Rolf in 2019. One where the pair in particular wished to not impose any set meaning to audiences, inviting them to arrive at our own views and interpretations. Acting almost as a visual metaphor for the noise of likes in the virtual world, where these language memes strive. Once again, showcasing the pairs finest, 'sweet meets sinister' form so often seen in their historically inspired work. Resulting in being a fashion statement, ironic in power and brash boldness.

This collection is one I'm truly inspired and empowered by not just due to its links to my on work and concepts, but its sheer ability to portray current and relevant messages in such an influential and potent manner. All of which I can continue to develop and use to inspire future designs and work. Alternatively, I can look to play around with similar composition, integrations of typography, silhouettes and forms within my own work. Allowing me to help bridge the gap between current affairs and stories with society alongside fashion and couture.