The theme was largely undecided and only came together near the end of the year. Many of the pieces were made with a “go with the flow” mindset and inspired by my then feeling and emotions:
Hyperawareness
Tension
Dissonance & discord
Temporal Contemplations
Sustained Investigation
Written Evidence
Identify the inquiry that guided your sustained investigation.
How can I demonstrate my relationship with time and how it has manipulated my outlook in life? Specifically, how has realizing the scarcity of time and constantly prioritizing my time impacted my perspective? As I’ve grown, I’ve increasingly noticed the scarcity of time and even the pressure it provides on a day-to-day basis. I began by exploring how excessive obsessing over my own time has created constraints on my productivity, distant relationships, and a grave emotional/social cost. Can I convey these conceptual ideas through nuance with motifs of time?
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Describe ways your sustained investigation developed through practice, experimentation, and revision.
I experiment with motifs of time by incorporating it through direct/indirect means, such as the recurring image of a melting clock [8,9], roman numerals [1,7], and past to present (b&w to color) [4,5]. Melting clock(s) represents my experience running out of time, a lack of control over my own time, and how freely it can be wasted. Roman numerals symbolize the dominance of time throughout my life as it dictates and drowns me, while Rorschach ink juxtaposes control with unpredictability [8]. Ultimately, I foreshadow the impacts of fixation and reinforce rediscovering my relationship with time.
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1.
“Tongue Tied”
Dimensions - 16x20
Materials - mixed media, watercolor, newsprint, twine, prismacolor, acrylic
“Tongue Tied” takes on a more experimental approach to media and materials. The school chair, representative of school and academic excellence faces imposing restrictions and obstacles such as the twine strung around and the presence of rigid, prominent motifs of time. The exaggeration conveyed through diminishing the cutout of the girl on the chair helps better accentuate my social observations and criticism.
May 2023
2.
Detail 1
Dimensions - n/a
Materials - Online software and typed annotations, newspaper, line sketching, acrylic glaze, color pencil
Processes - Experimenting with newspaper, curve brainstorming, create sense of anxiety and overwhelming
May 2023
3.
Decalcomania
Dimensions - 24x18
Materials - Rope as a 3D element,
vibrant and potent acrylic paint colors resembling ink blot intensity
“Decalcomania” takes inspiration from the Rorschach inkblot tests to present symmetrical, vibrant images of two different versions of myself. Between both sides, my position and demeanor is generally kept symmetrical, except the clothing and roman numerals in the background–both symbols of two different times of day. The twine is wrapped tightly to constrict the figures to obstruct either from surpassing one another.
Jan 2023
4.
Detail 2
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online references of Rorschach/ink blots, photos of myself, online software and typed annotations
Processes - Research and experiment symmetrical decalcomania style/online ref to represent day/night mirrors
May 2023
5.
Detail 3
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online software and annotations, acrylic paint, rope, visual Rorschach references
Processes - Brainstorming demonstration of constrictions of time through symmetry and passing hours in day
May 2023
6.
Melt
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online software to polish and add light streaks, acrylic on canvas, newspaper scraps
Processes - Compiled 9x12 individual canvases into full length, aligned and organized view of light streaks
Jan 2023
7.
Melt pt. 1
Dimensions - 9x12
Materials - Acrylic paint on canvas, cut out colored newspaper
vibrant and potent acrylic paint colors resembling ink blot intensity
Processes - Experimented with physical material of cut up newspaper as time melts and "breaks down" in my hands
June 2023
8.
Detail 4
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online software and annotations, photos of my hands, acrylic on canvas
Processes - Exploring lighting, posing, adapting light source, creating vibrant shades, polishing w/ photoshop
May 2023
9.
Melt pt. 2
Dimensions - 9x12
Materials - Neon acrylic paint on canvas, digital software to polish
Processes - Light streaks aligned with Work 11 as a continuation of the breakdown and slipping away of time
May 2023
10.
Detail 6
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online software and annotations, photos of my hands, acrylic on canvas
Processes - Exploring lighting, posing, adapting light source, creating vibrant shades, polishing w/ photoshop
May 2023
11.
Detail 7
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online software and annotations, acrylic on canvas
Processes - Revised previous work with new background and lighting to match with continuation theme
May 2023
12.
Melt pt. 3
Dimensions - 9x12
Materials - Acrylic paint on canvas, digital software for touch ups
Processes - Painted and aligned waterfalls with Work 11 and 14 as a finale to symbolize time drowning me
May 2023
13.
In Our Own Worlds
Dimensions - 16x20
Materials - Acrylic paint on canvas, cut out colored newspaper
vibrant and potent acrylic paint colors resembling ink blot intensity
Prompted by my personal experiences in high school from freshman year virtual class transitioning to in person classes, “In Our Own Worlds” highlights many shared emotions amongst students. Disorientation of our perception of time as students is displayed through the warped clock and chairs, as well as through the silhouettes of students. Each student being “In Our Own Worlds” symbolizes the dissociation and feeling of loss in a tumultuous period.
Oct 2022
14.
Faded
Dimensions - 18x20
Materials - Watercolor, epsom salts, rubbing alcohol, b&w graphite on paper to represent the past, rope
Continuing with an exploration of materials, I have collaged multiple pieces together to form a depiction of a woman hands tied with twine. The birds in the background are flying with the twine, as to show a disconnect between people and their environment. The black and white sketch is symbolic of a noticeable difference between the woman and her environment, which helps convey an idea of not fitting in with the colorful nature surrounding.
Oct 2022
15.
Detail 8
Dimensions - na
Materials - Online software and annotations, watercolor, salts, sprays, alcohol, cut outs of nature, B&W sketch
Processes - Experimentation of techniques of watercolor, emphasis on expression and pose of girl in B&W
May 2023