stranger-brief-anthony
ANTHONY MCDAID
STRANGER BRIEF
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[ muted isolation ]
Exploring the depths of isolation surrounding us in an enigmatic world and how it produces an emotional connection.
Comparable to a puzzle piece seamlessly fitting, yet still out of place, it mirrors the nuanced sensation of not quite fitting.
Through a study and exploration of abstract paintings and digital manipulations, I have produced these surreal landscapes with a focus on environmental elements.
These works aim to connect the observer to their internal memories and feelings, extending beyond mere physical displacement.
It encapsulates sentiment of being adrift, not only within the physical environment but within other aspects of life鈥攂e it relationships, careers, or education.
These pieces invite contemplation, finding a shared experience of the complexities of existence, resonating with the viewer鈥檚 own vulnerabilities and the universal quest for belonging.
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Layered cut outs and digital edits
I put together these pieces using some of the methods I experimented with.
I created multiple layers that were carved with silhouettes of clouds, grass, etc. Placing them on top of each other and using a light source behind it, I had a nice image which contained light, shadow and opacities.
I made some edits to provide a clean look to the final image.
I then scanned my paintings and edited them in Photoshop to provide a texture and extra imagery depicting the clouds, etc.
Both of these images were edited multiple times to explore different perspectives and emotions that would be connected to them.
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Digital collage
I wondered what it would have been like to be at the canal if it was at night and nothing around me except the natural environment.
So I used some digital collage editing to create this.
The water falling from the bridge was a significant part to the feelings I had at the time, it was so loud but peaceful at the same time.
Instead of standing there, I tried to picture me being able to sit there and relaxing around it all.
The I replaced the canal with a flowing river as I felt that worked better than a waterfall whilst still capturing the look and sound.
I placed the figure sitting alongside them and made them semi transparent, as though they were both a part of the world but also not.
I really like the idea of playing with opposites, it opens up a new perspective and a chance to work with more colours.
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Abstract painting
After working with digital editing again, I tried using the layer techniques found in Photoshop and applied it to my paintings.
Watering down acrylic, applying to paper and drying with a hair dryer, worked really well for creating the water and sky.
For the grass, I used a palette knife, some layers of paint and applying it to a carefully placed, soaked area and allowed it to naturally flow, adding some extra strokes to fill out any gaps.
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Image sources, paintings and digital edits
I wondered what else could be used to make paintings with and thought I would try using plaster bandages but instead of sculpting with them, I used the index traces they left to create these images.
The free flowing ease of using these provided a natural feel which is perfect for the water, grass and wind.
The canvas itself was cheap so it was disappointing a finish for a final piece so I digitally edited them, adding hints of colours that were associated with each piece.
These would look great as a set of prints.
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Folded structures and digital edits
Inspired by a pattern in a slab I saw whilst out walking (pictured above), I tried to imagine a simplified, minimalistic approach to the environment.
The grass became these triangular shapes I created through multiple folding attempts and the water became folded curves, made simply by scoring and folding.
I digitally edited the images to add colour to give me an idea of how they would look.
I then made a similar pattern for the water using paper mache, taking up two thirds of the board which was given a simple blue finish.
These could both work as a collection piece but I couldn't quite get the finish I wanted, experimenting further when I have more time Matt provide the results I'm seeking.
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Encased Sculpture
This was a quick experiment as I saw a plastic open container lying around and wondered how it would look if I painted it along with other objects.
The paint was too thick so the transparency didn't work, trying to find what would work for this is something I will explore as I believe this could open up further options for future sculptures and the use of light.
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Alan Workshop
I've not had a chance to explore multiple sculpture techniques so this was great.
I could never work a sewing machine or knit and had a lot of difficulty, requiring help at times as the thread kept coming loose but I got there in the end.
I opted for a skull as I wanted to see the effects of the final piece with parts of it stitched off.
A simple mix poured into it and simply held for a period of time until it started to set, it couldn't have been easier.
This is great for making multiple objects and in a quick period of time.
I love that the material used to store it is left imprinted on the final piece as well, gives a lot of options to work with.
Alan also took the time to show me how to make a slipcast mould which is something I've been desperate to learn.
Hopefully this is something I can work with in the near future.
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Abstract painting and digital prints
The top two images are a digital collage that's been edited to show hints of the water and the emptiness is both the reflection of the person but also of the emotion I felt myself whilst standing there, imagining myself being a stranger to the place and the emptiness is missing pieces that I'll discover through exploring.
Although there was so much around me, it felt so much more was missing.
The abstract paintings were made using gauche and acrylics with a squeegee and cotton.
I experimented with the idea of using opposite colours, providing a different sense of emotion by utilising orange, red, etc.
I think these are great for digital edits and collage use.
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Further Exploration - From top to bottom
This is an abstract painting I created. The idea here was to strip away the environment and focus on the person itself. I've used blue and grey as they were the two colours I felt when I stood in the canal. The blue of the rain and the coldness of the wind. The grey for the colour of the sky and general feel to the place, a mixture of life at that moment and the lives that passed by previously.
I feel it has the impact of the rain and the water cascading from the bridge with the blue. I used the same to form the head of the person as that's where the rain felt it was landing more than anywhere else and I fused it with the grey of my body and others, the footprints and the wind.
The second piece was a large painting on canvas. This time, I've stripped away the person and focused on the environment. I've created two slightly different shades of blue, one for the water in the canal and raindrops and the other for the rain falling and the wind. These can be viewed in either manner, with the lighter blue being the calming wind and light rain meeting the darker blue representing the reflective colour of the canal and the life found within it. It can also be viewed as the downpouring of rain and harsh winds and coldness with the calm stillness of an empty canal.
The bold red strip indicates the isolation I felt standing there, as though I was in a glass box, seeing all around me but not hearing or feeling it. Red is an obvious choice due to its complimentary nature to blue. I added some darker red texture to the bottom of it to represent the water from the bridge.
I could add the shape of a figure here but I feel this isn't needed, the viewer can place themselves or whatever they want in place of it instead.
The last piece is another abstract painting made using squeegees and a mixture of gouache and acrylic paints. I wanted to capture the feeling of the environment slowly fading away into the distance so I've left the bottom part partially empty.
As water was found everywhere, from the rain falling, the raindrops, the water in the canal and from the bridge, I felt I needed that to take up most of the painting.
I added some darker shadows in the background to represent the passing of people through the area, both past and present and left myself as a white silhouette, devoid of any connection to this place yet but will soon fill the grey shadows in the background.
Some texture was added for the rain and some lined indications representing the footprints and wind flowing through the grass.
As much as I liked this, I felt it was too colourful and personal to me so I edited this, taking all colour from this and replacing it with just black and white which I think works perfectly.
This captures the feeling of being a stranger in a new land, the loneliness, the vast emptiness that can only be filled with exploration and understanding. This will also be considered for my final piece but I need to see what methods of printing would work best for this.
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From top to bottom
A couple of images I took which I felt a distant/lonely feel. The path fading into the distance leaving you with no idea what is around the corner and the trees around it seem to box you in so you only have this narrow path of curiosity to follow.
The small bench which looks like it would only ever be used by one person despite being large enough to fit more, along with the bare trees being stripped of their leaves just made me feel it was a sad and lonely place to sit down on.
I experimented with layered paper cut-outs and casting a light from the back of it to provide this distant effect consisting of lights and shadows. I tried to replicate the feeling in the photo of the fading path. Now I will need to figure out what shapes to create for each layer and how they will compliment each other to provide the final product.
Last image is an abstract painting I made using oil pastels and acrylics. The water falling from the bridge is now this unknown path that the person standing in front of it has to walk through to discover what lies beyond it. There are still hints of the water below the feet.
Either side is a wall of life, the strangers that are passing by, the uncontrollable wind and rain, the muted noise of the surrounding area.
I really like how this has turned out. The original painting is ok but feel the colours take away the emotion found in the edited version. This has the potential to be my final piece.
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Further exploration of how the folded forms could look.
As well as going with all white and relying on shadows and light, I considered adding some thick black lines just to enhance it. Unfortunately, there are too many of these lines which become a distraction, for these to work, the pieces would need to either have bigger and fewer folds or less lines.
Size and time is an issue here so I may explore the idea of making smaller images and converting them to a layered photo/video that could be projected.
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These are from further examination of the space I have to project my work. I looked at alternative display options, from the plinth to the radiators. There may be a possibility of suspending work from the ceiling using the frames. I also placed the projector on a successful chair and had it rotate round the room to see what could possibly be done if I tried to display my work using this method.
I also used the beam in the middle for possible projections that appear on both that and the wall but also as an option of creating an empty space.
The beam still felt it was too static to capture that feeling I'm looking for so the best option is to have the actual viewer create that feeling with their body being projected as they immerse themself with everything around them.
My next step is to now work on capturing the correct footage and sounds and then getting the scales and numbers correct for the sculpture work.
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Some examples of folded forms I've been working on. I'm working on recreation the atmosphere of the canal I recorded. The feeling I had of being alone despite others passing by and the traffic around me, I still felt at peace and isolated from all around me except the sounds and movements of nature itself.
I'm possibly going to make some of these dipped in bone china to provide a bit more weight and support but will need to work on scale next.
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Quick edit of a video I made. I've isolated the flora here to emphasise on the loneliness/out of place sensation with the surrounding environment.
I'm not particularly happy with this edit but I feel I can make it work and have it possibly projected on to the screen with accommodating sounds.
The idea of a grayscale background with the focus on one particular object in colour could work as a painting also.
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Artist research - Lorado Taft
I came across this artwork whilst browsing Pinterest and it instantly caught my eye.
All of the bodies are nude, giving them a vulnerable feel. What really captured my eye though was the fact they are all connected yet separate, none of them are looking at each other.
They use each other as support and provide a solemn feel to it.
The loneliness that we all share at times, the silence and failure to acknowledge it, it's a beautiful piece that perfectly expresses that uncomfortable solitude.
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