Self Directed Research Project
Final Reflective Report
Introduction
Taking the original brief theme of North, South, East and West, I chose to study the use of outdoor spaces comparing and contrasting Malta and Manchester, which culminated in a passionate interest in this subject.
Observing both intended and unintended recreational areas, I studied the way people use, populate and inhabit outdoor spaces and asked what made a space successful or abandoned, and examined what environmental and social factors induced a feeling of safety and harmony.
My interest led to research into design of out door spaces, seats, steps and ledges and cultural attitudes to identify differences of mindset towards inhabiting open spaces.
Primary research
The Above sketch is done digitally using an iPad Pro and Stylus. The application is 'Paper 53'
It is a man sat in the street outside Mario's Butchers, Melita Street,Malta. His chair is brought into the street daily.
Primary research involved immersing myself into the everyday life in the two different locations. I also joined cultural organizations, in order to learn more about the social, political, and environmental concerns of the people in each country.
I documented my thoughts and findings through observational photography, sketches, and sound clips, , whilst meeting local artists and researching artist’s, visiting galleries and exhibitions and fairs which fueled my creativity and helped me to contextualize and visualize my discoveries.
Taking on commissioned and volunteer work helped me to appreciate professional practice, helping me to consider commerciality and reflect on the possibilities for revenue generation.
This sketch is done with a black biro in my sketchbook.
It is an observational drawing of a man in Piccadilly Gardens Manchester
How this informed practice
To reflect my research findings in my work, I set myself a secondary challenge, to be more spontaneous in my practice and to overcome my overwhelming desire for perfection. This was a difficult as my natural instinct had to be turned on its head. I had to learn to stop, and leave a piece at a place I would have considered unfinished.
Throughout this project, I have worked towards a more abstract interpretation, I have continually pushed my work beyond previous boundaries, and the result has been liberating. I feel free to express my thoughts and feelings in new and exciting ways.
How artist research informed practice
Researching a number of observational artists from Malta and the UK, I took influences from David Hockney, which gave me conviction in my own practice and inspired me to develop digital skills and push my limitations.
Harold Riley’s work helped me to develop my observational sketching skills, whilst Alistair Adams and Maltese artist Joe Pace Ross, stimulated a more illustrative composition in my work.
Finally influences from Pointillism, and looking at colour theory, together with rediscovering artist Peter Doig helped me to become more abstract in my outcomes.
Development work
Through experimentation, my work has developed from tight realistic illustrations of my observations, to a more abstract outcome involving a mix of traditional and digital medium.
My previous strengths in detailed drawings and paintings using wet and dry traditional media had to be abandoned, due to an inability to use an injured hand.
I overcame this problem by experimenting with abstract painting and by developing my digital drawing and painting techniques. I experimented with numerous iPad applications as well as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to mix my traditional work with digital.
My original Sketch above
Using a combination of traditional and digital technologies in my development work .
Here I have used one of my observational sketches combined with various digital technologies.
Overcoming my physical limitations during this project has taught me keep and open mind and to let the development work lead me to the final outcome, rather than to over analyze and to preconceive an outcome.
This is one of my watercolour studies used as a basis for digital experimentation.
Peer and group discussions
Along this journey, open and frank discussion with my peers and teachers, has also helped me to rationalize ideas and visualize new concepts.
It has helped me to overcome my prejudices, to embrace new technologies whilst developing skills I shall continue to use in my every day practice. In turn, this has helped to give me the confidence in my own abilities and to take a new direction in experimental work.
I can now embrace non-traditional media in a way I had not considered and I am proud of my more expressive work and final outcome.
Final Outcome
My outcome is a contemporary response, which seeks to conceptually contrast outdoor spaces in two locations.
A culmination of a years research, this body of work, fuses together digital and traditional methods, on hard and soft substrates.
These artworks (above and below) are a direct comparison of the two streets at the heart of my project;
Sandhurst Avenue Manchester UK and Melita Street, Sliema, Malta.
Compositions are overlaid so that both of the streets elevational profiles are visible, yet melded together in abstract form.
Display
My exhibition is a body of work, using colour and light combinations in the form of large and smaller printed pieces, on hard surfaces and soft fabrics. Illustrative forms will become further abstract on closer inspection, encouraging the viewers to immerse themselves closer in, to stimulate the senses, prompting a tactile, and inquisitive response.
