Skeletons in the Closet
Block Print and Digital Manipulation 216cm x 56cm August 2017 Skeletons in the Closet is block print about the epidemic that is LGBT+ teen suicide. It was inspired by pop artists Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, as well as the 1968 horror movie Night of the Living Dead for themes of mass industry and repetition.
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Planning
Inspiration
This detail from Andy Warhol's "The Last Supper" was the inspiration to repeat my print in a massive strip. Warhol also used themes of mass media and obsession, and portrays religious obsession through repeating the image of Jesus Christ around a hundred times in "The Last Supper". Combining Lichtenstein and Warhol cemented the theme of mass production and satire.
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Planning Sketches
As this is a block print, the value is going to be the deepest black value possible contrasted against white paper. This contrast makes it so every misprinted detail can be clearly seen, so not only is it important to be careful while printing, the carving has to be precise.
Originally, this was going to be a piece made up of 2 prints in a comic-page style formation with one above the other, hence the 4 pairs of sketches. The first plate went through the most variations, as I wanted to show the closet door as well as other parts of the room. However, the design that was carved ended up being the final one of just the hand and the door. The positioning of the woman in both panels was based on asymmetrical composition. If the woman in the first panel was on the right, the woman in the second panel would've been on the left, and vice versa. The text in the speech bubbles was either going to be "OH! THE HORROR!" or some variation thereof, or a series of exclamation points and question marks in typical comic-style block lettering. |
Experimentation
Experimentation consisted of the addition of a panel before the panel with the woman, testing out different colored inks and methods of inking, and painting over a print once it was dry.
The first picture uses blue and black acrylic paint to color in parts of the tears and letter the words. The dry brush created a rough texture, and although it's interesting, it doesn't fit the clean lines of the piece as a whole. The second picture experimented with only inking half of the plate to print. The third picture shows the original comic-style panels. The marks in the white space were a result of inking over the white space before printing, and in the final prints I took more care in not getting ink in those areas. |
Process
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Reflection
Critique
Altogether, I am pleased with the final product. I was disappointed that I couldn't incorporate the original comic page style, but feel that the repetition works better with only the second print. At first I was worried that without the first panel, indicating the closet, the theme wouldn't be carried as well and the title wouldn't make sense. However, looking at the finished product, I believe it only made the overall product stronger and the title less obvious.
Critiques from my peers revealed that before they read the exhibition text, some thought that "Oh, the horror!" was a sarcastic phrase to due its cliché nature, and to some extent they are correct. It's meant to be a satirical reflection on how we as a society react to mass-produced tragedy as we slowly become desensitized to it.
Critiques from my peers revealed that before they read the exhibition text, some thought that "Oh, the horror!" was a sarcastic phrase to due its cliché nature, and to some extent they are correct. It's meant to be a satirical reflection on how we as a society react to mass-produced tragedy as we slowly become desensitized to it.
Crying Girl, 1963.
Roy Lichtenstein. Happy Tears, 1964.
Roy Lichtenstein. |
Compare & ContrastDifferences:
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ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
Warhol's repetition in Campbell's Soup Cans inspired me to create a repeating pattern instead of presenting a single print, Lichtenstein's clean-cut comic style affected how I styled the woman, and the woman featured was based on Barbra from Night of the Living Dead.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of the article about suicide and LGBT+ youth implores those reading to help LGBT+ teens who are struggling with depression and discrimination.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
When we live in a world where tragedies like suicide happen every day, we become desensitized
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme of inspiration was repetition and the mass production of tragedy.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Even when LGBT+ youth come from accepting and supporting families, outside discrimination can push them to suicide.
Warhol's repetition in Campbell's Soup Cans inspired me to create a repeating pattern instead of presenting a single print, Lichtenstein's clean-cut comic style affected how I styled the woman, and the woman featured was based on Barbra from Night of the Living Dead.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author of the article about suicide and LGBT+ youth implores those reading to help LGBT+ teens who are struggling with depression and discrimination.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
When we live in a world where tragedies like suicide happen every day, we become desensitized
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme of inspiration was repetition and the mass production of tragedy.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Even when LGBT+ youth come from accepting and supporting families, outside discrimination can push them to suicide.
Bibliography
Ketner, Joseph D., et al. Andy Warhol: The Last Decade. Munich, Prestel, 2009.
Romero, George A, director. Night of the Living Dead. 1968.
Tracy, Natasha. “Homosexuality and Suicide: LGBT Suicide – A Serious Issue - LGBT Mental Health - Gender.” HealthyPlace,
www.healthyplace.com/gender/glbt-mental-health/homosexuality-and-suicide-lgbt-suicide-a-serious-issue/. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
Weidemann, Christiane, and Christine Nippe. 50 Modern Artists You Should Know. Munich, Prestel, 2017.
Ketner, Joseph D., et al. Andy Warhol: The Last Decade. Munich, Prestel, 2009.
Romero, George A, director. Night of the Living Dead. 1968.
Tracy, Natasha. “Homosexuality and Suicide: LGBT Suicide – A Serious Issue - LGBT Mental Health - Gender.” HealthyPlace,
www.healthyplace.com/gender/glbt-mental-health/homosexuality-and-suicide-lgbt-suicide-a-serious-issue/. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.
Weidemann, Christiane, and Christine Nippe. 50 Modern Artists You Should Know. Munich, Prestel, 2017.