These are just a few of some samples I’ve made recently exploring colour and mark making ideas.
The subject I am attempting to visually represent relates to the human mind and the origins of the conscious self. For centuries research of the human brain was only ever been carried out on specimens taken from dead patients and any findings had to be painstakingly illustrated by hand, as a result progress in our understanding was very slow.. Significant developments in imaging technology have enabled scientists and doctors to examine the brain activity of living patients and record the data more efficiently through photography. This information has allowed scientists to identify some specific biological processes in the brain controlling physical functions of the body like movement but have yet to find an explanation as to how the brain is able to create an individuals conscious self or where the intangible elements of our thoughts like emotion, creativity and perspective are formed.
This got me wondering what the brainwaves might look like which control these intangible elements. My experiments to visually represent the conscious self are based on recreating one of these scientific images of brainwaves as a painting. Exploring ways to express creativity and emotion, through automatic mark making techniques and various colours palettes Given that these representations are an expression of my mind and influenced by my emotion and creativity these images could be viewed as brainwaves of my conscious self
The self negotiated project I am currently working is loosely based on human anatomy and SEM images, in particular the SEM images of the neurosensors as they transmit messages around the brain.
There were 2 elements I wanted to demonstrate in this piece of work which I don’t feel I managed to achieved in work created earlier in this project.
1) I imagine there to be an infinite number of signals being transmitted deep inside each of our brains on a daily basis. I felt this could be reflected by creating an intricate mesh or network of connecting strands. As we have an entirely new set of thought processes each day I felt this mesh should be made up in a random way as opposed to forming a systematic and regular network of connections., .
In order to achieve this intricate mesh I decided to build the wok up in several layers, firstly masking areas off then applying a layer of acrylic. After repeating this process a number of times I then removed the masking fluid to reveal the image left behind.
2) I also imagine these signals to be transmitted rapidly around the brain and therefore felt it was important to create a sense of movement .
To achieve this I decided to apply the masking fluid in a more expressive manner through flicking, dripping and dragging over the canvas rather than controlled brush strokes.
Overall I am satisfied with the resulting image. I feel by using the layered approach not only has this helped to create the detailed mesh I wanted but also gives the overall image a sense of great depth. I am also fairly happy that the expressive mark making has achieved the impression of rapid and continuous movement.. The only aspect which I feel needs further reflection in this piece is the wide variety of colour which I have used as I feel this over complicates the final image. I would like to address this issue by carrying out further experiments (on a smaller scale) using various colour combinations from a much simpler colour palette before attempting another larger canvas.
various experiments using mono printing to recreate this intricate web. I have then adjusted some of them with basic photo editing tools. I found this to be a good way of trying some ideas out. Although I feel I need to work on creating a better sense of perspective as if the viewer was standing inside the web of sensors looking out, I don’t feel this is expressed in these examples.
Having created the sculptural piece I have since gone on to explore techniques that help me to respond to the intricate network of sensory neurons needed in the human brain
brusho, graphite and masking fluid on paper.I have also used this as a background for sculptural piece but I think it also works quite well on its own. The marks created with the masking fluid are quite expressive and create a sense of movement.
Here I have placed a number of backgrounds behind the sculpture made previously and again taken pictures from a variety of angles. Some interesting results. In my next update I will give further details on the making of these backgrounds
Ive taken many pictures from a variety of angles as I wanted to try and capture images with a strong sense of depth and help me gain a better understanding of perspective.
Ideas which I could maybe use to develop this piece include using lighting to create extended shadows. Alternatively I could use coloured fabric or different materials to to create the network of strands
