Considering Beauty
One of my larger and more detailed pieces, “It Gives and It Takes Away” is a visual exploration of contemporary beauty standards. This is reflected in the materials used, as I took collage elements from magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Elle. In this painting, the figure is clothed in collage which covers her unusual skin. She sits on an island, in seeming isolation. While no explicit message is intended, with this piece I wanted to explore the temptation of beauty.
This painting reflects my longstanding admiration for the work of Wangechi Mutu, who also merges paint and collage in her larger works.
“It Gives and It Takes Away” 24” x 48″, acrylic and collage on canvas.
Date: Spring 2013
- Acrylic Painting Techniques
- Multimedia
- Process
The Plan
This painting involved a lot of detail work, which I wanted to draw the viewer in. By encouraging closer proximity, my goal was to have the viewer consider what the collage elements were, and what purpose they served. At the same time, I wanted collage elements to have a decorative quality.
Skills
