Monday 23 May 2011
Paul Trevor: Like you've never been away- Walker Art Gallery
Paul Trevor came to Liverpool in 1975 and began documenting local life on the streets, in particular children growing up in almost poverty stricken areas of the city. These images to me, don't just capture the economic state of the city, but how the children deal with this way of life in such a positive way.
Trevor revisits the city in 2010 in hope of finding some of the children he once photographed, only to find out that one children has died of a drug overdose. I found the idea of trying to find the children quite endearing and interesting, as well as the stories that went with them.
The work also raises the issue of photographing children, as in todays society, it would be unacceptable to do what Trevor did. Which is a shame and a loss to the documentation of present children's upbringing around the city.
Trevor revisits the city in 2010 in hope of finding some of the children he once photographed, only to find out that one children has died of a drug overdose. I found the idea of trying to find the children quite endearing and interesting, as well as the stories that went with them.
The work also raises the issue of photographing children, as in todays society, it would be unacceptable to do what Trevor did. Which is a shame and a loss to the documentation of present children's upbringing around the city.
Bluecoat
Juergen Chill's Zellen series (2006- 2007) features prison cells in Germany, where it depicts inmates trying to individualize their environment through the arrangement of personal belongings. I love the idea of there being a presence felt in a bleak and solitude environment.
David Maisel's Library of Dust (2006) displays a series of jars which have become oxidized and began decaying. The oxidization of the copper jars has created beautiful colours and textures, which is similar to my interests in my car door metal series which I began the project looking at. As well as being visually interesting to look at, the jars also serve a purpose. They contain the cremated remains of psychiatric patients, who's remains we never collected by family or friends. This knowledge gives the viewer a chill, to their actually function which is something which I find interesting and similar to the ideas of Simon Norfolk i.e. beauty having a different side.
David Moore's 28 Days (2009) is a series of images taken in Paddington Police Station. The images give off an overwhelming feeling of confinement as well as patience emphasised by the cube shaped room, reminiscent of a cell. I found this really interesting how the environment in which you view the images, can help emphasise a feeling and create an atmosphere in an image.
David Maisel's Library of Dust (2006) displays a series of jars which have become oxidized and began decaying. The oxidization of the copper jars has created beautiful colours and textures, which is similar to my interests in my car door metal series which I began the project looking at. As well as being visually interesting to look at, the jars also serve a purpose. They contain the cremated remains of psychiatric patients, who's remains we never collected by family or friends. This knowledge gives the viewer a chill, to their actually function which is something which I find interesting and similar to the ideas of Simon Norfolk i.e. beauty having a different side.
David Moore's 28 Days (2009) is a series of images taken in Paddington Police Station. The images give off an overwhelming feeling of confinement as well as patience emphasised by the cube shaped room, reminiscent of a cell. I found this really interesting how the environment in which you view the images, can help emphasise a feeling and create an atmosphere in an image.
The Attic: Collateral Damage- CUC
Whilst invigilating in the attic, I found I had time to go around the exhibition and explore some of the works on offer. I came across Simon Norfolk's 'Full Sprectrum Dominance' 2008 series and really enjoyed the artists exploration of the 'sublime' in landscapes.
The artist had decided to purposely separate the images, exploring the idea of "two realms in the passing from one to the next, the earthy and heavenly; and the missiles leaping across them."
I love the idea of movement by separating the two images- the first seems tranquil, it is only when you see the following image that you see something which is exploding. The idea of beauty having a potential to be something quite catastrophic and destructive.
The artist had decided to purposely separate the images, exploring the idea of "two realms in the passing from one to the next, the earthy and heavenly; and the missiles leaping across them."
I love the idea of movement by separating the two images- the first seems tranquil, it is only when you see the following image that you see something which is exploding. The idea of beauty having a potential to be something quite catastrophic and destructive.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Look11
Started my first day volunteering for Look11 on Thursday and really enjoyed it. I started off invigilating at the CUC and then moved around different gallery spaces trying to engage with the audience and asking them to give their feedback on the events. Most of the responses seemed to be that they didn't know anything about other events, which is surprising considering how much advertising there has been, so the plan was to try and explain as many of the events to people as possible.
It also gave my an opportunity to speak to other photographers and try to network, by handing out my presentation cards which seemed to go down quite well. I feel that this is something really exciting to be involved in and look forward to the up and coming events.
It also gave my an opportunity to speak to other photographers and try to network, by handing out my presentation cards which seemed to go down quite well. I feel that this is something really exciting to be involved in and look forward to the up and coming events.
Saturday 30 April 2011
Friday 29 April 2011
Future Plans
- To improve my website and build it from scratch using Dreamweaver.
- Look into having a third book published, either exploring my chair collection, or possibly a large collection of my work.
- To continue exploring photography, its processes and available editing software (Adobe Lightroom)
- To apply myself to Photographer competitions such as Look11 (Liverpool’s International Photography Festival) which launches this May.
- To try and be more assertive and collaborate more with surrounding peers/ artists.
- A possible exhibition this summer in Cyprus.
Exhibition
Lucy Westall was born and raised in Cyprus and moved to England at the age of 16. Currently a second year BA (Hons) student, studying Fine Art at John Moores University in Liverpool. Over the past few years my work has changed and developed, but usually leads back to my upbringing in Cyprus.
For this aeries of work the artist began looking at surface textures, which had been created in urban landscapes through various aspects, such as neglect, poverty, politics and weathering. Mimmo Rotella is an inspiration in her work; in the way that he explores the idea of layering, which is what she finds so visually interesting in these urban surfaces.
‘Through the Window’ series evolved out of what the artist felt was an overlooked image and had previously discarded. Reviewing the image, she appreciated the beautiful colours and textures, and explored the surface tensions within the image.
After having developed the main image, the artist made a connection between the image and the frame that it sat in.
The artist found part of the image reminded her of worn sepia photographs. This led to an exploration of darkroom photography.
The artist explores the tactile qualities of frames using specially located drift wood, aligned with the visual qualities of the image.
The use of glass is an attempt to persuade the viewer to look through both the glass and the image itself, and the use of frosted Perspex distorts images.
Photographs of Cyprus near the Green Line, a neglected land littered with army checkpoints; show black vastness, conveying an atmosphere of tension, emphasising the impact that politics has on this landscape.
Im really pleased with how the opening night went, as well as the exhibition overall. I do feel that the arrangement of my work doesn't work that well, and would have been better with more space around each of the images, but as we were a large group, space was hard to find. This is something which I feel I will consider more when next exhibiting. The reception for my magnetic presentation cards was really well received, and by the end of the night only a few remain. I'm currently in the process of making more so that hopefully there will be enough for the rest of duration of the exhibition.
Thursday 28 April 2011
Look11 Competition
Send in a single photographic image that captures Liverpool for you. We welcome photos of people, the streets, work, change, action, distance, light, details, fun, encounters, home, public, personal – anything that builds up a portrait of this great city.
Possible Images I already have:
Possible Images I already have:
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I plan to spend some time next week, to carry on photographing Liverpool.
Thursday 14 April 2011
Kevin Meredith
I came across Kevin Meredith's Hot shots book and found it to be really interesting. Meredith shares with the viewer his tips and techniques of the trade, making it not only a book of visually interesting photography, but also a guide to amateur photographers. I found it to be really useful in exploring different angles, as well as different camera equipment.
Monday 11 April 2011
Light Bulb
I also found this image on the same website, again I don't know who created it but love the idea.
The above image, I photographed in Cyprus, with the idea of trying to frame the sunlight behind the bulb, so it appeared that the bulb was illuminating the sky. Unfortunately I don't think it works that well.
Stacked Chairs
I found this image, and love the idea! I cant work out whether its been done digitally, or if its real. It seems to fit in with my fascination with chairs as a subject.
http://www.foundshit.com/urban-stacks-of-chairs/
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