By Fiona Philipps.
FA22- I am planning to continue throughout this module with my research into the human body. I looked last module in particular at our bones and the effects caused by the food we eat.
I have decided to research further into the human skeleton and also my interest in bacteria, blood, skin and our genes.
I have been looking on the internet and in books for images and information. It is quite a difficult subject to research from life without x-rays and microscopes. Sharon has lent me two of her anatomy books which have been really useful though a bit gory!
From my sketches I have started to develop a wire sculpture. I started off planning to make a large artery which I was then going to cover in a calico fabric I had painted to look blood stained. I made lots of different samples. I decided that this was a bit too literal and would maybe look just like a long tube. I have now decided to add more to my artery to create a larger freestanding structure. I have so far created a spine, arteries and part of the pelvis. The pelvis needs some alteration. When placed against the wall I really like the shadows the wire creates, they create another form.
I was really inspired by the work of Sophie Ryder whose work I saw at the Yorkshire Park and have wanted to try working with wire since then. It does take hours and hours though to produce even a small piece and it is also very hard on my hands, I have had lots of cuts, keep the plasters handy!
I am a bit worried that it is taking me such a long time and I am not sure yet if this piece will be a success and as I have to have work ready for our Gallery practice I am starting to get a bit panicky.
I feel a bit stressed and also nervous about our Gallery practice although I am also really looking forward to it. So far our plans and arrangements have gone quite well and I think that once I have created work that I feel ok about I will start to relax and enjoy it all a bit more. I think that it will be a really valuable experience for us all and we will learn a lot from what we do. It’s coming up a bit too quick though!
I have also started this week working on nine canvases which fit together to make one large rectangular shape. On each one I am planning to paint different sections of the skeleton to create X-ray type images. Again I am a bit worried about how this too and how will turn out.
I have lots of other ideas and would like to do some plaster work. I just hope I don’t run out of time.
