ARTIST STATEMENT
This social context work focuses on obsession, the persistent disturbing preoccupation with a subject or often unreasonable idea, which negatively affects individuals to a great extent. Individuals commonly believe that these obsessions are justifiable.
The bright colours, influenced by Andy Warhol, represent the delusion of a seemingly bright persona. This is contrasted with violent hands grabbing the faces associated with the controlling illnesses. The calm expressions represent the facade those suffering from obsessive illness put on, to ensure discretion.
The audience is intended to gain an understanding on how controlling obsessions can be.
ARTWORK PROCESS
Firstly, reference photographs of students were taken.
Different hand positions and angles were trialled, reflecting how obsessive illnesses control an individual.
Colour was decided on to reflect the personality and emotional focus. Bright contrasting or complementary colours were used to reflect youth.
An acrylic ink background was painted to contrast with the opaque gouache.
After drawing the faces, I created sophisticated layers with the gouache. The contrasting colour to the background was used as the clothing. In around half of the faces, the background colour was incorporated, while in others, the contrasting colour was used to reflect the individuals characteristics.
