Packaging the human form

10th December 2015

Pattern and vibrant colour creating the illusion of seductive camouflage is the thread binding my current photographic imagery. The series of bold photographic projections taken in the studio using an SLR camera, digital projector and using the skin of Rhyannan my life model as the canvas, have inspired my use of developing varied linear organic shapes on a curved surface. This abstract approach has lots of potential and I am interested in exploring this aspect in more depth. (see work of Emma Hack and Vadim Stein)

In my work I am attempting to develop the theme of packaging; covering the human body using a range of repeat and abstract patterns in vibrant colours and alternative fluid shapes. These are taken from my own figurative silkscreen, lino and acrylic painted designs which coalesce when

projected onto curved forms - with particular imagery relating to the personality or essence of the specific person encased within. 
(Inspirational examples of this have been taken from a range of sources ie. Yayoi Kusama, Maurice Binder and Robert Brownjohn, Alli Jang). My thoughts have been directed to the theme of Butterfly to Chrysalis, Frankenstein, Chameleonesque camouflage and a myriad of textural coverings which could alter our perception of the human figure, hiding or sculpting the organic so that it blends seamlessly with any environment. 
From my own research I have found that projecting solid blocks of colour works and strong linear patterns work most effectively. This led me to take inspiration for my own projected linocut designs from the work of German Expressionists and to a lesser extent Matisse. (see Otto Dix, Ernst Kirschner, Egon Schiele).

An extreme example of this is the fashion designer Iris Van Herpen who collaborated with the Belgian artist Lawrence Malstaf and vacuum packed her models on the catwalk taking the packaging idea to an extreme. 

I am using a series of contemporary artists to assist with my quest for creative diversity with emphasis on the human form; specifically Peter McGrath (portraiture and psychology),  Miss Bugs (chameleon-like vibrant silkscreen mixed media) and Martin Maloney (colour female collage 'Actress Slash Model').

Examples of projection Ideas and further relevant inspiration

http://www.judybarrass.com/Berbagi.html

http://judybarrassblog.com/2014/06/24/projections-for-floating-land-2013-revisited/

http://margaretnoble.net/educator/the-art-of-projection/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYw_vVxw8tg
maurice binder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngf1Lryep1o
robert brownjohn



Maurice Binder and Robert Brownjohn's innovative 1960s representation of the human canvas can be seen in their title sequences of the early 'Bond' films eg. Dr. No, Goldfinger. 

https://stazouvou.wordpress.com/page/4/
anastacia stazouvou - life drawings illustrating FGM

http://emmahackartist.com.au
Emma Hack's beautiful and evocative combination of vibrant colour and pattern camouflaging the body within a flat surface is inspirational. 


http://www.allijiang.com

Yoyai Kusama

Kusama's idea of 'Self Obliteration' is relevant to my work too and some of her pattern work specifically the organic sculptural forms is reminiscent of my own large scale flower canvasses.

"Painting bodies with the patterns of Kusama's hallucinations obliterated their individual selves and returned them to the infinite universe". Yayoi Kusama