Wow, that was surprising

Sorry for the long absence, 3rd year has been surprisingly manic. So I've just had my assesment for 3rd term which will determine whether or not I'll achieve an ordinary degree. Here's hoping so. I thought I could talk a wee bit about what I've been doing in my work just now and hopefully get up some photographs as soon as I get access to an SD card reader.

Essay
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So part of our degree this year was to write what is called a CRS (Critical Review of Sources). This is where we identify sources that we will use in our extended essay/dissertation in our 4th years. So for my topic I chose to analyse sources relevant to the issue of Humour in Fine Art. This was a good choice as the essay is totally related to my studio work and compliments it nicely. I looked at three sources, 2 exhibition catalogues and a book called 'The Artists Joke' by Jennifer Higgie which is an archive of documents relevant to the topic. I think I've done ok with the essay, dont get my marks back until 25th May so got a wee while to wait.

Studio
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As I mentioned previous, the role of humour has become very important in my studio work. In term 2, I kept a drink diary, where I logged every alcoholic drink I consumed for the month of March. The results were not pretty to say the least, but this research led to some of my best work to date being produced. After the diary, I started to make drunken memory drawings (i.e. getting drunk, going home, remembering what had happened that night, and making drawings from the events) The sensitivity of the line and considered compositions really surprised me for someone who was intoxicated! This led the way for me finding the crux of my practice right now: longing. The lowest common denominator in most of my drunken memory drawings was longing for someone.

From there I made lots of studies, experimenting with colours and composition before finally taking my work into print. I chose to use screenprint. I used deliberately loud, almost sickening colour combinations with the hope of making the images seem weirdly repulsive but attractive (much like being drunk). The images were layered memory drawings and looked really quite chaotic but strangely calm. Then I applied text using Letraset (the stuff rocks!). This is where the humour element came in but also where I began to toy with the idea of truth/fantasy, action & reaction as well as longing and rejetction. I'll get up the images as soon as I possibly can.

So what else have I been up to you ask? Well, Glasgow recently hosted the Glasgow International Festival which showcased some of the most up and coming work from the UK and beyond. It was a 2 week festival with so many exhibitions, no one person could see them all. On the first day of the festival I was looking at art for no less than 9 hours - you can understand why my brain has since turned to mush. As well as the work there was of course the parties. So many parties, at least one everynight of the festival. Went to some belters!

I think my favourite show was one in the Duchy gallery, Duke Street, Glasgow. (Google their website) But other favourites included Jim Lambies new works and a film piece by Fiona Robertson titled Paraphenalia. Probably my highlight of the entire festival however was a little cafe/bar that was created called Le Drapeu Noir that hosted events everynight for the 2 weeks, from poetry readings by Alisdair Gray to musical performances and kinestic sculpture shows. The atmosphere there was fantastic - one of my tutors aptly said that if it was the 1920's, we would be the dadaists. So true, that was exactely the atmosphere.

Well enough for now I think, photos to come soon.