An Eclectic Herd Of Antelope

I wrote this manifesto as I wanted to mix the talents of the group and also comment on the emphasis of the word  'collective'

Been interested in animals and the English language, this seemed like the perfect combination. Instead of trying to think of what made us a collective I realised, weather people liked it or not, we were a collective in more ways than one. To illustrate my point i used collective nouns amidst the words that described the talents of the individuals within the group. I don't think many people really cared for it as only a few looked, but regardless of this I am  personally very pleased with it, I like the sentiment behind it and the fact it  isn't something I've ever seen done before.

(Matthew Barney)

The only way I would like to describe Matthew Barney's work would be to use the words strange and beautiful. I like how he has taken anthropomorphism to a whole new level through the use of prosthetics and makeup art combined with computer manipulation. I feel extremely inspired through seeing this work and think that perhaps it could be another area in which i could work myself, as i have already done a lot of prosthetic work (mainly just for fancy dress and my own pleasure) and feel that i could further develop these skills within a fine art context.

(Nancy Wiley)

I came across Nancy Wiley by accident whilst looking for a different Alice in wonderland animation. I looked her up and found she is a doll maker (not animator as I'd previously thought) I find her dolls beautiful and magical, it does help that she  has created another version of Alice, as anyone who does that already has a place in my heart. I enjoyed listening to her explain her thought process for her character development, for instance she has changed the mad hatters hat to an upside down tea pot, (because he was mad and drank tea) it does seem so simple but makes sense. I could relate to this and see a similarity in the thought process she uses and my own.

I like the fact that she is working in a three dimensional way , yet is using her work for so much more  than just using her dolls as objects alone, she uses them to create stories and books and i think that makes me realise just how wide your range of skills can be.

(Marco Evaristti)

I recently saw this piece of art on a television show where people had to  make bids for artifacts and art works they wanted to obtain and sell on , I cant remember the name of the program, but that doesn't matter. I was immediately intrigued by this , admittedly, if it is true that the piece is made from the golden fillings and teeth of the dead Jews from Auschwitz it is a very macabre and sickening thing. Although once i read up on the reasons the artist gave for making this piece, i understood why he'd made it and although it is still 'horrid' and gives you an uncomfortable feeling and a chill down your spine i find myself feeling quite fond of it. If not just for the reasoning behind the piece. Everyone knows of the horrors that went on in the death camps but i feel to actually put this in a piece of sculpture it really makes you look and in a way 'rubs your nose it it' it make you look and feel disgusted but i think that's the point to represent great cruelty and loss but present it in such an elaborate way.

Evaristti said the exhibit wasn’t just a reminder of the death associated with the Holocaust, but also of the looting the Nazis conducted.

(Kristjana S Williams)

I was recently made aware of Kristjana S Williams work by one of my tutors. The main thing i like about these pieces is the sheer amount of animals, objects and nature that fill these pages. I also find the use of 'classical' looking print and etching used alongside brightly coloured flowers and leaves very interesting and pleasing to look at and feel that maybe this technique could be something i possibly experiment with in the future .

(alone)

I'm not sure of the artists name, but i came by this a couple of weeks ago, and i absolutely adore it. I love the simplicity of it and the fact that due to its simplicity it has a certain naive quality to it.

How many more toads?

After looking at some of Van Gogh work i began to experiment with different mark making techniques, I've tried to give the illusion of different types of material and also think i have made better use of the space and created a sense of distance within this piece, when i look back through my work i can clearly see that it is improving and i am extremely proud of this one. I like the sentiment of the piece, how the rabbit looks extremely distressed by the amount of toads around her, i also love the toad prince in the background who has waited so long for all the other toads to move out of the way that he has collapsed and died in the woods, alas, the poor rabbit shall never find her prince, just like in the real world i fear.