Waypoint
TASK 2
module information
design principles
“African Mephisto” is a colorful and textured artwork that show her interest in different cultures. The central figure resembles an African mask and is surrounded with textiles patterns and shapes inspired by different cultures. The painting uses colors which are similar to African textiles art. She uses trapunto technique to creates a three dimensional effect, making the artwork feel more tactile and dynamic. The bold colors and flowing lines make it visually engaging.
The composition is asymmetrical balanced, with emphasis of the central figure attract the viewer’s attention but some element and colors are weakening the central figure. The repeated patterns and colors create a sense of unity. The texture adds contrast, while the curved lines guide the viewer’s eye across the painting. The use of balance, repetition, unity, contrast, and emphasis helps make the artwork visually strong and interesting to look at.
African Mephisto is is a colorful and textured artwork inspired by an award-winning film by István Szabó about an actor in Nazi Germany who sell his soul for success. By adding the word "African," she have hint that the European avant-garde’s debt to much older African performance traditions. This artwork was made when she was experimenting with new ideas and invented a unique technique named “Trapunto”, this artwork is the first trapunto art that she made and the beginning of her art series “Mask and Spirits” which is inspired by mask traditions around the world. Her work often focuses on identity and blending traditions and this showed her interest in cultural exchange and how artistic traditions influence one another across the time, making this piece an example of her unique approach to art.
Sketch 1: "Veins of emotion"
A small mountain stands at the center, holding back emotions
that burst as large and small beads. Fabric vines wrap around the scene, adding
a raw, organic texture, while the vibrant sand beneath contrasts the grey
background, symbolizing hidden energy.
Rationale: This design represents the struggle of emotional suppression. The mountain is a fragile barrier, with emotions inevitably breaking through. The vines reflect entangled emotions, and the vibrant sand beneath hints at the intense feelings.
Sketch 2: "Volcanic heart"
An angel halo like structure attempts to control emotions, holding beads that resemble a totem or human form on the verge of collapse. Smaller beads burst away, scattering across the vibrant sand, symbolizing emotions trying to hold together. At the base, a volcano inspired explosion of beads erupts, representing emotions that can no longer be contained.
Rationale: This piece explores emotional fragility and explosive release. The chandelier symbolizes an external force attempting to maintain balance, while the crumbling totem figure signifies breaking under pressure. The volcano inspired beads highlight the raw, uncontrollable eruption of feelings when suppression fails.
Sketch 3: "cosmic echoes"
A galaxy of emotions unfolds with planets made from air dry clay, yarn, and beads. Beads swirl like the Milky Way, while yarn inspired by Moana’s spiral symbol (koru) weaves through the composition, symbolizing new life, personal growth, and peace. Fabric vines wrap around a small mountain like form, anchoring the celestial scene.
Rationale: This design reflects the vastness of emotions. The planets represent different emotional states, while the swirling beads symbolize the flow of feelings. The yarn (koru) represents renewal and the journey of emotional growth, while the vines suggest emotions growing, intertwining, and evolving overtime.
(Koru is an art from "Māori" Indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand)
Materials:
Week 5 : Dr. Charles said avoid using similar elements from the
artwork, the mask are closely resembles African Mephisto.
Week 6 : I’ve redo my sketches. Dr. Charles said they
are very interesting and praised my writing. He mentioned that Cosmic Echoes
would be a great choice for me. He also suggested that I can use a canvas size
other than A4 and should choose the size that feels most comfortable for me.