Good Night & Good Luck

As the ArtExpress 2009 Exhibition winds to a conclusion I thought I would post my last blog entry. To end I thought I would leave you with a few tips/pointers which may help in future HSC artworks but also hopefully help you to think outside the square. So you can see where I'm coming from my statement can be found here: http://www.insideartexpress.com.au/artists/hardwick but keep in mind that the artwork was much more than the one panel (with books, polaroids, canvases & stockings-stretched to make mix-media canvases)

My Work:

Those tips/pointers:

1. Experiment: Despite what I say in the Gretel Killeen interview (part of 'Art After Hours' program my work) the concept and physical art evolved as the year progressed. I think it was 2001 when the HSC syllabus was revised for Visual Art, a notable change was the shift from 'Major Work' to 'Body of Work'. I would encourage you all to understand what a Body of Work includes and mean -don't be limited by the traditional view of art making, contemporary art practice of many artists is no longer linear (in the sense of materials explored) and neither should your work-. My concept was driven by the physical experiments which I did. Often you will find that these experiments will be:
   

a)integral in the foundation/formation of your body of work

b)not included in the end product but you will have used skills/materials that will be

There is never a point in your practice which experimentation should stop, right down to how you assemble and present your work.

Examples of the experiments I did which were then turned into a two books (not displayed):

2. Use the world around you. Artists, like many creative professions, do not exist in a void of artistic practice or knowledge. Draw on artists that you like. For instance I love the presentation of Janet Laurence's translucent artworks, thus I investigated how she assembled her work and adapted it to my own need and concepts. I also followed the practice of environment/time based artist Andy Goldsworthy. Just because an artist/musician/architect/graphic designer may not be exploring your concept their skills and the tools that they have used in the creation of their work may be of use and interest to you. Don't re-invent the wheel, the HSC is stressful enough without personal pressures of grander and ground breaking techniques and concepts.

3. Visit galleries & view art. As a student of Architecture I am beginning to appreciate how important it is to view buildings, objects & artworks in the flesh. I don't think the trend of some galleries (the Brisbane Art Gallery is of note within Australia) towards virtual galleries and virtual exhibitions of physical works is the future for art galleries. There are a number or reasons why not:

a) The rendering/appearance of these spaces are not to a high enough quality. Computer games have higher graphics than many of the simulations being used ... so why aren't galleries using computer game editors to create their environments?

b) Galleries can/have been able to successfully break down the stereotype of 'the art galley' and intern make them more accessible to the public. The success of the Tate Modern in Britain is proof of this fact. Yes we have a smaller population in Australia but more money spent on engaging social design of our buildings and artistic programs (ie satellite galleries/gallery franchises so that works and exhibitions can be accessed and viewed outside the city) would be more worthwhile & exciting than online exhibitions. Of course electronic & video art is a separate issue and with some effort could work online but I haven't seen any efforts on a large scale in Australia to make this work. 

To bring this rant back to the point there is nothing like seeing art and the detail/technical skill which artists put into their work. The visual library of images & techniques which you will build will last you a lifetime if you keep an interest in art. Its all very well talking about how brilliant the Sydney Opera House is but its another thing to actually experience the space. 

All in all I hope that the exhibition (and even more hopefully my work) gave you a few new insights into how to produce your body of work. Remember this is one of the vessels where you can vent your imagination so don't waist the opportunity to do something a little left of field (be this in your concept or materials or presentation etc). Its a repeated cliche but enjoy the year.

Stay creative and never sell out!