30cm x 42cm
Title Looking towards the future
The outside is a vessel for inside and one cannot exist without each other.
Inspired by evocative portraits and words of American artist Elizabeth Peyton, this self-portrait is a deconstruction of a person in the middle stage of life. The frame around the head symbolises the border between peaceful inside and volatile outside world. But no inner stillness exists, both optimistic (pastel colours) and negative influences enter my inner world. The ‘broken frame’ also symbolizes my initial will to control them and personal realization/acceptance that no inside exists without the outside.
The colour palette plays a symbolical role on another level. The greys, yellow and pink reflects the bittersweet stage of middle life, the luggage of past experiences but also the dreams and plans. Although the face has a sceptical expression the pastel colours reflect my optimistic outlook into the future.
I want to focus on improving my drawing skills and continue my practise in the direction of illustration/sequential art.
“The OFCAD introduced me to a wide range of techniques and mediums. The portrait drawing course showed me the importance of close observation. My favourite course was Approaches to Drawing through Materials and Mark Making.”