Personal review of work produced

I have developed a series of pieces where on the surface free gestural paint and drawing techniques have been used to create flow.  I have intentionally used repetition in forms of horizontal and vertical line to encourage movement of the eye around my images.  Careful attention was taken with placement of drawn or photographic elements and blocks of color within a predominantly limited color palette of black white and grey. 

My initial concept was to explore ideas of migration from a rural to urban setting and visualize this.  Looking back the artwork itself seemed to develop unintentionally almost in a sequence parallel to the concept progression, as when put together in a sequence they illustrate an (abstract) journey from rural to urban, from outside to inside (the city).  I started out by creating emotive abstract pieces that include natural elements, nature, rural space, and freedom with loose lines.  This was my initial response to the subject of ‘movement’ within my chosen context which turned out to be very much an emotional response, inspired by color, abstract mark making and composition that would create movement rhythm and balance. 

Gradually I started to introduce more structure, carefully considering placement of elements, horizontal and vertical divisions of space, and some pieces saw the introduction of the city- Lusaka, as in the relief collage piece entitled ‘Chaotic flow’ which includes abstract detail that shows the same organic natural elements from my other pieces combined with elements from the city like the blue LSK minibus numbers.

‘The Vagrant’ depicts a travelling mother and introduces literal images of an urban scene with manufactured and built elements.  One of the final pieces completed in the sequence entitled ‘Street to Sky’ almost represents the final destination of the journey, showing Lusaka city with sharp contrasts, clear division of space and strong detail.  Here I was inspired by ideas of borders and boundaries and began thinking of places an individual would seem to feel free to go or not to go in the city and how this translates across the different spectrum of people who move in and out of the city. The boundaries are different for different people and sometimes the boundaries are not only physical.  But I’ve only touched on those concepts here and think it’s an exciting place to explore further for another body of artworks.

The largest piece I last worked on in sequence is titled ‘Crossing Alinsky’ which seemingly reverts back to having a more emotional and personal focus where ideas of freedom, space, personal challenge, crossing over, and individuality were my inspiration.  I created a parallel of concepts by included the handwritten text ‘Change means Movement’ taken from a quote made by Saul Alinsky which I interperet as change IS movement. In order for something to change it has to come into contact with something else, sometimes with friction or conflict. Photographic imagery depicts my actual crossing into Zambia aged 8 and the overall composition is inspired by my personal challenges and the freedom I find in allowing myself to change and evolve.   By adding the text I cross-reference the broader social concepts connected to the quote hence the title of the piece. 

I have totally loved the process of creating this body of work and enjoyed working to a theme and color palette and having a timescale to work to.  During the process I am reminded, along with all the other duties at hand and day’s assignments that the job of making art is above all the one I have the most energy and passion for.  Getting lost in my own creativity and thoughts, contemplating the best ways to visualize the ideas in my head, experimenting and letting go but having to then emerge to sensibly ‘wrap up’ the job and make it complete within the given restrictions is always exhilarating and stimulating.

I hope that my finished pieces although undoubtedly have an abstract allusive quality to them, inspire a thought and encourage the person looking at them to make their own story and emotional attachments.