Maria
Jones
Academic Advisor Sunanda
Sanyal
1 December 2012
Semester
Summary
July
Studio: My semester work began in a very
literal vane. The series I entered school with carried meaning through symbols but
was very leading, which was something I began experimenting away from. I struggled
with ideas of symbols and what is considered a personal comment versus a
private comment in my work. Experimentation with new mediums and symbols
consumed my time. I found it very difficult to think more conceptually, and benefited
immensely from visiting and analyzing other works of art. Not a great deal of
art was produced this month, but I learned a lot about clay bodies, glazing,
mold making, enamel and wax pours, acrylic skins and photography.
Academic: I listened to critics from the
residency and wrote my residency summary.
I also spent a great deal of time at the library researching new art
mediums and symbols. I read
through my Art Today and Vitamin P and D books, and spent copious amounts of
time researching artists and art that inspire me. Artists I researched included
Artemisia Gentileschi, Frank Stella, Andrew Loomis, Michael Krebber and Winslow
Homer.
August
Studio: I spent a great deal of the month
learning to use my potter’s wheel and hand-building objects. I dealt with a lot of sketching new
ideas and collecting materials. My artistic process for July and August helped
me slow down and think through my ideas. Instead of sketching then creating, my
process has grown to include research, sketching, experimentation and finally
into the art-making process. I started the month with a broad idea, “freedom is
an illusion”, and slowly developed a more narrowed approach. I began this
narrowing process with a ceramic candy bowl project. Working with wax and enamel I created molds of military
insignia that I wrapped in candy wrappers, and placed in the bowl. I was also
working on a pedestal for the bowl made of hand-built ceramic medals and
ribbons. The pedestal idea was halted through collaboration with my mentor, but
I saved the hand built pieces for a possible future project.
Academic: I met with my mentor for the first
time. We talked a great deal about
moving into conceptual art. I researched artists like Guerra De La Paz, Frans
Marc, Cecily Brown, Nadine Hammam and Stanley Spencer. I also wrote my first research paper
without giving much thought to how the required readings related to what I was
working on.
September
Studio: I began creating substantial work with
the concept of “perception is reality”.
I wanted to show an idea that society understands and considers the
reality, but also pull back the veil to display the true nature of the less
than 1% that serve our country. I began working with my military experiences to
create works that develop my idea of individuals forced into similarity during
military service. September was the start of my 12x12” painting series of
National Defense Ribbons. Each
painting is similar in many ways, but each ribbon I picked has individual
characteristics. I set a goal to have
at least two photographs for my photo ribbon study. This goal led me to a
collaboration project in which I requested fellow service members to take the
photographs for me with vague guidelines provided. I also let go of the idea of
having to make every piece of my art, and embraced the use of ready-made
objects to convey my meaning.
Academic: My advisor had me re-write my first
research paper. Research consisted of lots of writing and paper research, and
ended up being very helpful. It helped me step back from my work and reevaluate
it on a conceptual level. I met with my mentor and we discussed taking the idea
of perception into a photo study. I also experienced a Gary Hill exhibit at the
Henry and a handful of Galleries in the Seattle area.
October
Studio: This month was a wrapping-up process
for a few of my projects, and a beginning for my photo project. A comment my
mentor made and my visit home made me decide to create a few projects with the
idea of military memories wrapped up in the ribbons and medals we receive
throughout our time in service. I hand painted each medal and ribbon without
taping and proper measurement so each piece has an individual messiness to it.
I made the hard decision to allow my lack of perfection convey meaning in my
art. I also set a goal to create 15 of my 12x12” paintings for January
residency and have six to show my mentor in November.
Academic: I made a visit to Michigan and had a
chance to explore the Detroit Institute of Art. I spent most of my time in the
contemporary wing experiencing artists like Artswager, Oldenberg, Katz, Lewitt
and Hess. This visit led me to do research on Hans Haacke and Martin Kippenberg
for my third paper. October was the most enlightening month, as far as research
goes, into conceptualism.
November
Studio: I used November to wrap-up every
project I started in July and August. I met with my mentor at the beginning of
the month and we discussed taking the photo project further and completing the
12x12” paintings for January to include nine National Defense Ribbons, three
Commendation Ribbons, and three Sea Service Ribbons. After visiting the Jeffrey
Mitchell exhibit at the Henry, I had a second set of prints made from my photo
project and cut the significant ribbons from the photos. I then decided to
create a few installation pieces with my wax/enamel insignia, photos, and
American Flags. I will be meeting with my mentor in December to further work
through these ideas. I am beginning a new sketching and watercolor project that
requires more research prior to the creation process.
Academic: This month has entailed a great deal of
reflection, and thoughts about where I would like my work to go next semester.
I am working on my required readings for the second residency as well as
finishing the books I assigned myself during the June residency.
Future Study
Next
semester I would like to continue a few of my current projects. I would like to
expand my photo project to include service members I have little to no
connection with, possibly include other branches of service and create a large
archival piece. I would also like to expand my ribbon painting series to
include a full series of Navy Commendation Ribbons and Sea Service Ribbons. My
work could also benefit from further investigation into installation
pieces. I think my military ribbon
series still has many directions to explore.
Gallery
and museum visits will be very important to my continued growth. I intend to
engage my watercolor work again with less symbolic and literal concepts. I
would like my military series to continue with a less consuming
consistency. I think my body of
work has grown enough to begin getting my art out into the open and possibly
begin showing.
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