Helen Newman
collage on canvas board using book pages, paper, card, acetate and acrylic
polyptych, 8” x 8” per image
Title The ordinary is extraordinary
"I thought the objects we value least because they were ubiquitous were actually the most extraordinary." - Michael Craig-Martin. A conceptual artist he focuses on everyday objects challenging preconceptions about the nature of a physical object.
My work investigates ways of representing an impression of the external and internal features of an everyday 3D object by incorporating solid and open elements and focussing on one or more of the distinctive elements of the object by using scale, colour, texture, layering, manipulation or disruption.
The graphic image of a pear using collage, layering and cutting gives an impression of both the outside of the pear and also the structure of the inside of the pear. It shows that an everyday, ordinary object is also extraordinary if you look below the surface.
“ I noted m y first learning point was “not to be afraid to draw or paint”, followed by “to try something (like oil painting) that I think I cannot do”, “to experiment and explore” and “to find what works for me”. The course has... given me the confidence to try new, unfamiliar techniques - printing, mixed media - and to appreciate the importance of mark-making and taking time to reflect and enjoy the process. Also an important lesson learnt is to concentrate on producing work that has simplicity and clarity but at the same time challenges the viewer to ask questions. ”