Everybody, it’s now inevitable; For Centuries it’s been in practise.
Vanity, self interest, self-intrigue, self-reflection, humility, self-deconstruction. All in the same frame as a portrait that hangs on the wall, in true expose yet without the exhibitionist. Performed and created to portray a day in the life of......
This is a work of art combining the uses of portraiture, depicted by layering photography, screen-printing and painting on canvas. There is no one mid, full-length shot, profile or bust of our character but an array of behind the scenes, through the keyhole compositions of our subject whilst carrying out his or her daily life.
Each of us perhaps admires the subjects of our tabloids, to the extent that we scrutinise their daily habits. Each of us despise the subjects of our daily tabloids, we excel in their dark deception. Then others are more fascinated by the extent of the stories that can be told in a simple shot. A collection of these shots could only reveal more than any human mind could concoct.
If we throw ourselves into this arena of exposure, what could we possibly learn about ourselves? More than we could ever learn in a lifetime, without the pain, conquest or destruction today’s symbols endure. I dare you to explore, with innocence, ignorance and trust.
The character in the artwork has to want to be the subject of intense scrutiny. He or she will agree to be followed by the photographer for anything up to a month, in which time hundreds of photos will be taken with or without the knowledge of the person in question. It is to this person’s discretion as to whether the photographer has 24-hour access to his or her image, rules may be defined.
The appropriate photographs are then selected for the main montage; the subject/commissioner may have editorial control.
All photographs are then subject to colour manipulation, resizing and positioning, ready for its information to be screen-printed onto a large stretched canvas. The images are printed in various layers, and are each enhanced by additional layers of hand painted oil or acrylic. The layering is an organic process; life within the work will grow with time and relevance to the subject.
The result then revealing the complexities of the subject’s character, their habits, gestures, mannerisms unbeknownst to them are presented before them. Their routine of daily life is storyboarded in a style that delivers only the truth, be it isolation, materialism, superficiality, sensitivity, tenacity, happiness. The layers of colour highlight the moods in each case. The canvas is large, the information in it is endless and psychologically bewildering, this stands as a portrait like no other, a biography for the subject to embrace or regret but any observer will never disrespect the work of art’s undeniable power of insight.
Entrepreneurs, corporations and the world’s media industry have managed to capture everybody’s attention by radiating voyeurism in our press, TV and Internet sites. There is now a fascination in what new worlds we can explore if we deprive ourselves of privacy. The methods used to create the work of art may be perceived as glamorous, the subject may momentarily fill the shoes of a star who is struggling with or encouraging the publicity of their private life. Drama is contained in all lives, many in today’s news thirsty world follow anybody’s soap opera, and these days anybody can become famous. For all these reasons, the artwork will be needed and wanted by the individual, the art dealer and the general public.
“Wealthy told to put their money on the wall” - Financial News issue 589
Art has become one of the world’s best-performing assets. Investors can be deterred by trading costs of 25% and a lack of income from art. But dealers, with a vested interest in talking up the market, said the pleasure of ownership matters more.
The International Herald Tribune states that; “A new Generation of art buyers with new money has arisen. By definition, these do not have the same experience nor the same degree of commitment to art. Among them, some acquire paintings as others play poker. Many professionals feared that these new buyers might easily pull out in an adverse economic climate. Apparently this did not happen.” Art is now being brought to a wider market, the investments made are now widely spread across the genres and artists, for the sake of a possible jack pot.
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