Focus Reflection & Evaluation
Zamzam Ali

The focus of my work in Unit 3 studio arts was Transformation. I refined my ideas in Unit 4 by focusing specifically on the transformation that occurs in individuals emotionally, including both aspects of outwardly emotion as well as those hidden internally.
Although originally I was drawn to the subject matter of Emotions (mostly those shown through facial expressions and body language) by expanding and looking deeper into it all together I was able to be exposed and influenced by a range of other aspects that may not have been in my line of vision. By adopting the subject matter of Time it has allowed me to have a different outlook and to be influenced by socio-cultural factors such as the medias influence in everyday life and functioning, to the role of women, acceptable and non acceptable behaviours and forms of outlets that was once seen as acts against morality and obedience yet through time and growth of a new generation it has became widely accepted.
Potential directions have contributed greatly to the development of my final art works. Initially I had the desire to create a sculpture using wire therefore I had multiple trials using different wire thickness as well as sizes however it presumed to be extremely hard to handle and heavily time consuming. Upon researching different art methods and techniques I came across a new form of pencil drawing called ‘gesture drawing.’ A gesture drawing is basically a quick drawing that captures the essential gesture of a subject in its most distilled form. I thought that this proved to be quite ironic (particularly to my subject matter) I found humor in this and instantly fell in love with the idea. Then I realised that gesture is everywhere, embodies in every object, person and place. It is action, emotion, movement and expression all rolled together into one cohesive motion. Through gesture, my drawings had the potential to transform into anything from ferocious to quiet. In a drawing, gesture represents the primal instincts, the essential character of the subject. Instilling with gesture, a drawing is able to communicate emotion and expression in a concentrated manner that is visually compelling. Through gesture the essential character and emotion of any given subject can be effectively communicated.
I put the idea into work using firstly pencil on paper then later refined it to charcoal on paper then finally ink on paper, which I chose to use as the main materials for my finals. I began by using black ink on white paper but felt like the image in needed something extra so added more colour (particularly in final 1) to give it more of a pizazz, more character, more depth.
My final pieces effectively communicate my interests in hidden emotions, the wall a person could construct to shield themselves, why it is so prevalent in women particularly young women who are exposed to and are greatly influenced by mass media and the transformation of people over time. The three final artworks are a cohesive illustrates my fascinations all of the aspects listed.
I believe my final artworks are reciprocal of my ideas. My artworks embody the confusion and feelings of those particularly pubescent teens who are only starting to grow into their own skin and find themselves. With the use of gesture drawing those emotions of confusion and almost the center and base of my artworks.
Final I: shows a gesture drawing on a circular coloured paper which illustrates an emotion specifically those expressed externally paired with a black paper depicting an emotion through a picture of a movement or expression in white ink or a white paper using black ink, on a pastel checkered board. I decided to use the pairing as an example of how individuals can conceal their true emotions with another that may be seen as more acceptable in a social context/setting. This can be particularly evident amongst adolescent teens who struggle with self understanding and love yet are demanded to participate as functioning people in society therefore dealing with internal conflict yet not having a safe and healthy medium for expression or release.
Final II: depicts a female using black ink on a reddish/pink board (a symbol of innocence/youthful energy meets madness which can be evident through her untamed hair which is also a symbol of her cluttered thoughts and feelings of lost-ness.) in the picture it can also be seen that there is a little ghost in each of her eyes yet she is seen to be giving a shy smile. Almost as if she is putting on a brave front, although struggling with her own personal ‘demons’.
Final III: also a picture of a female, yet this final is the most simple, using black ink on a plain white canvas. This final in particular has a deep connection of the subject matter of Time, which is why I chose to center it on only black and white colour. From the beginning of history women have been seen as the weaker species. Being repressed from their basic rights of freedom of speech and expression has been showcased for a long time. They suffered through socially constructed beliefs that to say a specific thing or wear a specific dress was condemned as immoral. Individuality was scarce and frown upon. Although even until this day the reminisce of those values still play a part in the hardships young women face when trying to grow and prosper in a society where mass media is projecting how they should act, behave, look, weigh, think and speak it isn’t to the extent faced by women for example living in the 20th century. This artwork is a nod towards the struggles of the strong women of those time who fought against sexism and misogyny, who craved a path for future generations to be able to live freely as capable, freely thinking individuals who are allowed and encourage to be different/unique.
The art pieces I have created in my folio are linked through subject matter and materials used. My theme of Transformation as well as subject matter of Time is evident in each artwork in its own unique way. My final folio of works has achieved a further sense of cohesion by using the one art form, gesture.
Materials and techniques for each final includes:
Final I; canvas, black ink, white ink, coloured acrylic paint for the checkered painted canvas board, coloured paper including black and white.
Final II; canvas, red and white paint which was used to develop the soft almost pinky red coloured used to paint the canvas with, black ink & white ink.
Final III; canvas & black ink.
(Note: that all final pictures were created using a pointed tipped stick to drizzle the ink from a height onto the canvas and/or the chosen paper of use.)
Aesthetically I want my artworks to instill a sense of uneasiness disarray or confusing in the viewer yet a sense of fluidity, which I see as a key component of the communication of my ideas to be affectively and successfully interpreted.
I decided to present my finished works, which are three ink gesture drawings on canvas. I see the images as being presented as a series from right to left and that the images would be displayed on their own distinctive wall yet at a distance that they should all be in the same room or a couple of meters apart so that the viewer is able to make a connection/link between the works. Framing is also very important to my image as I feel the best frames or most fitting that would highlight my works positively would be a delicate wood filet frame.