I visited the Tate, although I usually feel uninspired going to this place because it seems to be the first go to gallery on every trip, I was lucky enough to see a few pieces of work that truly grabbed my attention. I took my time to look at these works because I was intrigued to know how they had occurred, how did the artist get to this point? rather than giving it a quick look up and down and walking onto the next piece to check off my list of ‘work I have seen’.
These were:
Nicholas Hlobo, ‘Macaleni Iintozomlambo’ (2010)
This work by Hlobo was made from ribbon and tea on water colour paper. Using this type of paper is a lot stronger to with hold the tea stain rather than soaking through and thicker to be stitched onto. The work looks like a screaming skull, falling and splattering. I can imagine the tea hitting the paper and going everywhere. The ribbon keeps the stain from spreading (its contained); highlighting the outline with various colours. I have not come across a lot of works that involve stitching which, I love to include into my own practice when I can. Hlobo has inspired me in my own A3 paintings with thread.
Another work I came across was by Niki De Saint Phalle, called ‘Shooting Picture’ (1961) above. This is plaster filled with paint, where visitors got to shoot at the void space, uncovering the hidden pigment within. I love the interaction; having a visitor help shape the work by staining it with various colours. It feels like a positive way to release anger, creating something other than being destructive. I also like the texture produced by the plaster, causing craters, much like my cotton pads spray paintings although I have gone for a much softer approach. However, thinking on what my work is about it might be best to try something different and I have thought of more ideas after seeing Phalle’s work.
The last work that I saw at the Tate, which has helped shape my most recent work, is the piece above by Rachel Harrison called ‘XLT Footbed’ (2013) She has used a range of materials from paint, to concrete to wood and even adding objects like the shoe, to make this slightly towering structure. Harrison has not exhausted this piece with colour but used it to highlight areas, and complimentary tones (orange and blue). I have thought about using the objects that I have painted around, as part of the work rather than just using them as a stencil, so there is a visual connection to be made. I like the shadow caused by Harrison’s structure too.
