Magazine drawings

The magazine drawing series works almost in the same way as the previous food drawing series, yet includes the influence that the media has over society when pursuing what we determine the image of beauty. The act of cutting these drawings from food magazines mirrors something quite destructive in itself, whilst the final pieces are in fact extremely delicate and fragile.

Food Drawings

The series of drawings using food as their medium is rather extensive so above is just a small selection of the works. The figures are drawn using a blind contour method which relates to the apparent blindness that so many people have when it comes to looking at their own bodies; constantly finding flaws and scrutinising even minor aspects of their appearance. Food as a medium acts as a very instant and sometimes unforgiving medium, as every movement is shown, and again this represents different relationships we all have with food. I have been extremely pleased with the food drawings and think they definitely have potential to be developed and improved further.

Mixed Media Pieces

These pieces are again focussing on our perception of beauty as a modern day society and the relationships we share with food. The garments here act as an abstract view of beauty, with the apples representing historical contexts, terms used for women's bodies and forbidden temptations, as well as being largely based on the case study of Ana Carolina Reston, a Brazillian model who died from eating only apples and tomatoes for a month. The idea behind these garments was to create something that initially looked quite attractive and seductive, yet over a period of time would change and start to revolt the viewer. This mirrors the enticement of beauty which is sometimes soon followed by more serious and ugly consequences.

The installation above is a transcription of the idea of a nuclear 1950's family, with traditional values, healthy relationships and 'rituals' or traditions based around food. The displacement and dislocation of used dining objects signifies the change in family life due to a modern society, and places emphasis on the preciousness and sentimentality we sometimes place on insignificant objects relating to family life.

2007/8 Work

These works are based on buildings found around the Stoke - on - Trent area. I became interested in the apparent need for regeneration of buildings around this area and looked mainly at the aesthetics of the decay and deterioration of these places, focussing on certain areas more than others in relation to the state of the building. I find the half painting, half drawing element to these paintings most interesting as they mirror both drawing plans for regenerated architecture and represent a more abstract view that these buildings will eventually be demolished and fade from the landscapes, being replaced by contemporary projects.