Art and its public is a module where the artist is expected to promote and get their artwork into the public domain outside of the university institution.
I was first made aware of this module in my first year and observing the second years.
In the interim period between semesters, I was involved in the curation of an exhibition. With the help of Anton Hecht a fellow colleague from Sheffield Hallam we occupied 5 Brown St which was awaiting a sale and was left without an owner.
Occurrence was the name of the exhibition, although I plumped for “Occupy Brown St” I was outvoted but I still believe the title was apolitical and perfect for what we as a collective of artists were about.
I asked various friends from University and even roped in the Sheffield graffiti artist Trik09 to provide a mural.
This happened at the end of May.
In reference to art and its public the idea was to investigate the notion of space and who is entitled to that space whenever someone threatens it.
I was to take a canvas picture of a parked car and balance it on an easel with a ticket for two hours’ parking stapled to the frame.
The reaction to this artwork will be the catalyst for its own version of performance art captured on camera.
The object is that of a parked car but as a representation, so does this object have validity?
Will the public object or will they remain objective?
What are the legalities of such an artwork? Is it an obstruction to everyday life and not an invitation to embrace art wherever it may place itself.
I never had the gall to pull off this experiment, but the idea became a part of my digital book.
72 pages of collated material of digital images I have created since getting into digital artwork and providing written context to give an insight into the art process.
Using In Design to create a book I have then sent the details to a printer.
I then got the book printed; fifteen copies in total.
Friends bought copies and I sold some at The Showroom which are now publicly for sale at £12.00 per copy.
I have had a lot of positive feedback for these books, so it has been immensely rewarding.
This has been an outlet to get my art out into the public realm.
I have a copy of my book at the Beaten Track a pub on Campo Lane and I have my Robert De Niro pastel pictures on display at The Showroom in the main café.
Everything I work on is documented on my site or Instagram.
My degree show is coming up and my digital books will be on display with some current work.
Thank you to this module which my book would never have existed and Luke’s guidance on creating a book after seeing his test bed zine.
senojllessur@gmail.com
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Q and A
Everyone was surprised I hadn’t mentioned that I have my Robert De Niro pictures in the Showroom and no photos (the glare is too much).
I was asked what I will go onto and I feel I will embrace painting and attempt something I have never done before like flowers and plants.
Penny observed the importance of networking and how the Showroom is a cultural hub where artists collaborate.
Self Evaluation – Portfolio Document
You are asked to present a Portfolio document at your assessment point at the end of the Art & its publics module. Please use the structure below to help communicate your project through a portfolio of documentation that shows key stages of the evolving work.
You can interpret the below structure to be as appropriate to the media and software that you feel best fits your project.
Please present digital and paper versions at your assessment.
| Art work / project process & outcome: a short description and images (overview). |
| I created a digital book featuring the best of my digital work thus far. I used In Design to create the book and Mixam to print the finished product. This was a concerted effort to get my artwork out into the public eye considering it is digital that is difficult to do unless you’re relying on digital platforms. |
| Statement: this statement should describe your approach to your project, touch on the key stages in the works development and the context of your works realization; its site, display and engagement with the public. |
| I decided on a book because I believe it was the easiest way to achieve the notice of the public. I sold several copies of the book also sold some to my workplace The Showroom. Alongside having my pastel pictures on display in the café area this helped me to direct customers to my digital books for sale. I was aware of the customer base, so I tailored the content to be as palatable and non-offensive as possible. |
| Analysis and Appraisal of the project: give a short critical analysis on the outcome of your project, appraising it in relation to the aims of your own practice & discipline |
| I really enjoyed curating and collating my digital work and giving it a space to exist other than my iPad or social media. It was a great opportunity to push my digital work to a new audience especially one that associates me with using the medium pastel pencil. Digital allows me to work faster and with different mediums and outcomes sometimes with text, montage etc. and not to worry about the use of materials and the costs etc. Digital art enables me to explore ideas without worrying about wasting any material such as paper, ink or paint. I have a lot of great feedback and appreciate the module was an impetus for creating the book. |
| Supporting documentation: a list of all of the material that you have included for assessment, i.e., photographs, texts, notebooks, blogs, drawings, audio, videos, etc. |
| Powerpoint presentation Self-evaluation portfolio Copy of Angry Spectrum Written text for Powerpoint |
*the above boxes are expandable, you can add in more text into each section
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