Henry Wise Wood Student Work Gallery
The exhibition brings light to the amazing artworks that can be created from mundane materials, as well as shares the discovery of different platforms and mediums that art can be created on. Art can be found everywhere, and anyone can create art with just a few supplies and a goal in mind. The artworks encourage other people to start creating from a unique perspective, and break the common perception that art is only found in traditional formats. The exhibition intends to encourage people to seek motivations to create from whatever interests them, such as from aspects of close relationships, the events happening in the world, and popular pop culture references.
All of the artworks have been approached spontaneously, since the inspirations and motivations to create them appear randomly. Most of the pieces have been created with a functional purpose, whether it was for an event or for general use; such as Fallen Angel was created for a Remembrance Day ceremony. Some of the pieces were generated to state an opinion of a certain global matter or to express personal feelings; this is best demonstrated with Quarantine Madness as it showcases the emotions of social distancing due to the pandemic affecting the world in that time period. The process of the 3D pieces in the exhibition can be broken down into three basic stages: the armature, the base, and finally, details. For example, first in Bowser Shell, wire and cardboard were used to create the armature; then paper mache was used as the base; and details were added on with paper clay, foam, and paint. The 2D piece Insignificance was inspired by other artworks rather than coming from the imagination or from pop culture. Acrylic paint and canvas were the only supplies used in Insignificance, and much of it was layered on top of each other to achieve the desired colours. Details were added with tiny brush strokes for accuracy and clear definition between colours. Digital pieces drew inspiration from every aspect of life. Two of them focused on exploration of digital art. The other incorporated a game, while the last used close-up photography from a phone. These digital pieces emphasize how art can be created from materials that everyone possesses.
The exhibition was to be placed in a square corner of the room. At the front would be Fallen Angel and Persephone to draw the audience’s eye to the diversity of these two pieces, as well as the colours in Persephone and textures in Fallen Angel. This placement introduces the idea of two vastly different mediums where art can come from, and its goal is to intrigue the audience to view the rest of the exhibition. Near the staircase and the back wall would be the lens pieces, so people can gather on the stairs to watch fellow viewers interacting with Kraken as well as watch the loop of The Philosopher and The Scribe and Quarantine Madness. The looped artworks showcase drastically different emotions, which prompts audiences to reflect on specific feelings that they have experienced in their own lives. Furthermore, Kraken breaks the stereotypes of art by bridging the gap between the art world and the normal world in the form of an artwork in a video game, and encourages others to be creative in unusual places as well. Bowser Shell and Impending Doom would be placed along the window, since both originate from popular games, and may draw the attention of the people outside who recognize them. They act as an invitation to come in and view more works. Viewers may be inspired to express their interests in other pop culture media that they know and like. Lastly, Insignificance would be placed in a shadowed corner at the height of people’s feet so that it is difficult to spot and reflects its name. Since the materials of these artworks and the media they are created from are easy to obtain, the emotions and disbelief that viewers may feel when they understand the art world is not so different from the normal world may inspire them to start their unique journeys of creating art.
All of the artworks have been approached spontaneously, since the inspirations and motivations to create them appear randomly. Most of the pieces have been created with a functional purpose, whether it was for an event or for general use; such as Fallen Angel was created for a Remembrance Day ceremony. Some of the pieces were generated to state an opinion of a certain global matter or to express personal feelings; this is best demonstrated with Quarantine Madness as it showcases the emotions of social distancing due to the pandemic affecting the world in that time period. The process of the 3D pieces in the exhibition can be broken down into three basic stages: the armature, the base, and finally, details. For example, first in Bowser Shell, wire and cardboard were used to create the armature; then paper mache was used as the base; and details were added on with paper clay, foam, and paint. The 2D piece Insignificance was inspired by other artworks rather than coming from the imagination or from pop culture. Acrylic paint and canvas were the only supplies used in Insignificance, and much of it was layered on top of each other to achieve the desired colours. Details were added with tiny brush strokes for accuracy and clear definition between colours. Digital pieces drew inspiration from every aspect of life. Two of them focused on exploration of digital art. The other incorporated a game, while the last used close-up photography from a phone. These digital pieces emphasize how art can be created from materials that everyone possesses.
The exhibition was to be placed in a square corner of the room. At the front would be Fallen Angel and Persephone to draw the audience’s eye to the diversity of these two pieces, as well as the colours in Persephone and textures in Fallen Angel. This placement introduces the idea of two vastly different mediums where art can come from, and its goal is to intrigue the audience to view the rest of the exhibition. Near the staircase and the back wall would be the lens pieces, so people can gather on the stairs to watch fellow viewers interacting with Kraken as well as watch the loop of The Philosopher and The Scribe and Quarantine Madness. The looped artworks showcase drastically different emotions, which prompts audiences to reflect on specific feelings that they have experienced in their own lives. Furthermore, Kraken breaks the stereotypes of art by bridging the gap between the art world and the normal world in the form of an artwork in a video game, and encourages others to be creative in unusual places as well. Bowser Shell and Impending Doom would be placed along the window, since both originate from popular games, and may draw the attention of the people outside who recognize them. They act as an invitation to come in and view more works. Viewers may be inspired to express their interests in other pop culture media that they know and like. Lastly, Insignificance would be placed in a shadowed corner at the height of people’s feet so that it is difficult to spot and reflects its name. Since the materials of these artworks and the media they are created from are easy to obtain, the emotions and disbelief that viewers may feel when they understand the art world is not so different from the normal world may inspire them to start their unique journeys of creating art.
Bowser Shell (Oct 30th, 2019)
Cardboard, wires, paper mache, acrylic paint, paper clay, and foam tube
(27cm x 39cm x 26cm)
This shell is part of a character, Bowser, from the original video game, Super Mario Bros (1985). This shell was designed to be wearable and inspired by a friend who plays as Bowser in a derived game, Super Smash Bros (2018). Common materials that were lightweight, inexpensive, and durable were used so the shell could be worn without causing fatigue. Paper mache was used to create the basic shell shape, and acrylic paint was used to mimic bold and vibrant colours from the original design.
Cardboard, wires, paper mache, acrylic paint, paper clay, and foam tube
(27cm x 39cm x 26cm)
This shell is part of a character, Bowser, from the original video game, Super Mario Bros (1985). This shell was designed to be wearable and inspired by a friend who plays as Bowser in a derived game, Super Smash Bros (2018). Common materials that were lightweight, inexpensive, and durable were used so the shell could be worn without causing fatigue. Paper mache was used to create the basic shell shape, and acrylic paint was used to mimic bold and vibrant colours from the original design.
Fallen Angel (December 5th, 2019)
Clay, wires, aluminum foil, cheesecloth, nails, acrylic paint, white glue, wood, and steel wool
(31.8cm x 44.5cm x 24.3cm)
Soldier paying respect to a fallen soldier. Everything is dirty and broken, shown by texture and colours, symbolizing the effects of the war. Damage and horror is further emphasized by metal wedged between cracks on the body of the soldier. The kneeling soldier is incomplete and offers a hand to the cross, but has nothing to give, implying that they’ve given everything they could to the war, and they have no more left. This was started as a live art piece for the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Clay, wires, aluminum foil, cheesecloth, nails, acrylic paint, white glue, wood, and steel wool
(31.8cm x 44.5cm x 24.3cm)
Soldier paying respect to a fallen soldier. Everything is dirty and broken, shown by texture and colours, symbolizing the effects of the war. Damage and horror is further emphasized by metal wedged between cracks on the body of the soldier. The kneeling soldier is incomplete and offers a hand to the cross, but has nothing to give, implying that they’ve given everything they could to the war, and they have no more left. This was started as a live art piece for the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Insignificance (December 10th, 2019)
Acrylic paint on stretched canvas
(10.16cm x 10.16cm)
This is a painting of a brown iris. It symbolizes the insignificance of a person compared to the world. I chose brown colours because it’s the most common eye colour in the population. There is a lot of detail in the iris, with flecks of burnt sienna, white-gold highlights, and burnt umber streaks. However, it’s done on a small canvas to convey the feeling of unimportance. And the idea that even though someone’s life may be intricate, it’s often overlooked, and becomes insignificant.
Acrylic paint on stretched canvas
(10.16cm x 10.16cm)
This is a painting of a brown iris. It symbolizes the insignificance of a person compared to the world. I chose brown colours because it’s the most common eye colour in the population. There is a lot of detail in the iris, with flecks of burnt sienna, white-gold highlights, and burnt umber streaks. However, it’s done on a small canvas to convey the feeling of unimportance. And the idea that even though someone’s life may be intricate, it’s often overlooked, and becomes insignificant.
Persephone (Feb 27th, 2020)
Medibang digital art
(29inx39in)
Part of a collaboration, where four artworks combined represent four seasons. Persephone, the goddess of spring, symbolizes life and rebirth. She rides a smokey horse from the underworld. The background and the goddess are colourful to represent how nature is healthy and living, but she is carried forward by a horse coloured with grey values.This is related to climate change and the destruction of nature. Although the Earth is still healthy, nature is being destroyed, and death is coming.
Medibang digital art
(29inx39in)
Part of a collaboration, where four artworks combined represent four seasons. Persephone, the goddess of spring, symbolizes life and rebirth. She rides a smokey horse from the underworld. The background and the goddess are colourful to represent how nature is healthy and living, but she is carried forward by a horse coloured with grey values.This is related to climate change and the destruction of nature. Although the Earth is still healthy, nature is being destroyed, and death is coming.
Quarantine Madness (March 27th, 2020)
Photography, and Picsart photo editing
(982px x1124px, 843px x1052px, 2076px x 934px, 873px x 343px)
This series of photographs represents struggles of staying in social isolation. Inspired by current events and personal experiences, the collection of photographs focus on eyes and lips, two features that reflect “self”. Eyes are defined as windows to the soul, whereas lips are used in expressing personal views. Both are covered in red and black—danger, anger, chaos and madness—to express the emotions experienced through self-quarantine.
Photography, and Picsart photo editing
(982px x1124px, 843px x1052px, 2076px x 934px, 873px x 343px)
This series of photographs represents struggles of staying in social isolation. Inspired by current events and personal experiences, the collection of photographs focus on eyes and lips, two features that reflect “self”. Eyes are defined as windows to the soul, whereas lips are used in expressing personal views. Both are covered in red and black—danger, anger, chaos and madness—to express the emotions experienced through self-quarantine.
Impending DOOM (April 16th, 2020)
Paper, tape, aluminum foil, polymer clay, spray paint, and acrylic paint
(10.2cm x 10.6cm x 9.9cm)
The Doom Slayer doll was created as a tribute to the game DOOM Eternal (2020) and a reflection of COVID-19. The gameplay features the chaos of Hell on earth, which can be connected to discord within society as a result of the pandemic. Only the head of the doll was made because that’s where thoughts and emotions are, and the body doesn’t exist to reflect on how people are staying put. The Doom Slayer is portrayed as an extremely angry man, which are the main emotions felt during this quarantine.
Paper, tape, aluminum foil, polymer clay, spray paint, and acrylic paint
(10.2cm x 10.6cm x 9.9cm)
The Doom Slayer doll was created as a tribute to the game DOOM Eternal (2020) and a reflection of COVID-19. The gameplay features the chaos of Hell on earth, which can be connected to discord within society as a result of the pandemic. Only the head of the doll was made because that’s where thoughts and emotions are, and the body doesn’t exist to reflect on how people are staying put. The Doom Slayer is portrayed as an extremely angry man, which are the main emotions felt during this quarantine.