Continuing on from the theme or deceit and smoking mirrors,I needed some darker elements, most of which I was able to source from creative common sources. I then enlisted my friend Firefly and Chat with the delicate task to generate some material I could use for this project.
While I initially wanted to stick with a hand made piece with decoupage, I was also interested in reconnecting with a practice I used to hone: digital photomontage.
I needed to have elements that would be reminiscent from the 50’s, especially these iconic women I wanted to integrate in the pieces.
I started with a simple 1950’s illustration of a young woman wearing a blue dress
Slowly shaping my narratives; with a wide smile, holding a paint brush, casting her vote, on a ladder, wearing a pink dress, brunette, blonde, woman of colour….
I knew I wanted to depict the notions of fallen democracy, corruption, silenced voices and people in revolt. I and wanted to see how I could bring these about within the concept. I also knew that I wanted the format of the final piece to be a triptych, as to reinforce the themes across the three pieces.
I discussed this with Chat:
- Background: The scene is set in a chaotic urban environment, with towering buildings, burning cars, and masses of people protesting in the streets. Signs with slogans, graffiti, and symbols of resistance are scattered throughout the scene.
- Figures and Faces: The crowd is a mix of diverse individuals, some with determined expressions, others in despair or anger. Their clothes are torn, and some carry banners, while others hold onto loved ones. Faces of notable figures who symbolize resistance or oppression may be integrated into the collage.
- White Paint: A large brushstroke of thick, white paint sweeps across the image from one side to the other. The paint partially obscures the scene, erasing the faces of protesters, wiping away the flames, and covering the slogans. The paint drips in places, creating an uneven, almost violent erasure.
- Borders: The edges of the artwork show the transition from a vibrant, chaotic world to a blank, white void, suggesting that the paint is spreading.
- Color Palette: The world beneath the paint is in dark, intense colors—deep reds, blacks, grays—contrasting sharply with the stark white of the paint. Some areas of the collage might use muted colors to depict exhaustion and fading hope.
- Textures: Incorporate different textures in the collage, such as torn paper edges, smudged ink, and rough brushstrokes, to add depth and a sense of rawness to the scene.
….and I thought,,,damn, I have got to up my game!