I decided to create my cave-like environment using dust covers, normally used to protect furniture and carpets when painting your walls and ceiling at home. Before hanging, I unpacked them and crumpled them up, then put them back in the bag and left them for a few weeks to get crinkly. I wanted them to look uneven, to create a natural looking surface to imitate cave walls.
I tested out spraying over my hands, using a spray bottle containing acrylic paints mixed with water. I wanted to create the effect of paleolithic cave art, sodecided to try out this technique, rather than blowing pigments over my hands (like our ancestors did). This worked well and I was happy with the results, so I set about creating the structure, in the available space.
I made sure to hide the corners and keep the appearance of the cave 'rough and ready.' I didn't want anything that looked contrived, because nature is not neat and that (for me) is part of its beauty.
Here I am spraying my hand, I was very pleased with the results - although it wasn't pleasant when the water ran down my arm and into my armpit! haha! #artistproblems
Here you can see the final result from the outside. I added a strip of wood and covered it with fabric to create a 'doorway' and arranged the material, making sure the doorway was assymetrical, to keep it looking natural. Or as natural as an unnatural art installation in a studio can be! Ideally, I would build a huge paper mache structure (like the maquette) with a small opening at the top to let the light in - but this is a compromise, working with what I had available.
Once I had the handprints in place on both sides I added splashes of colour randomly around the cave to make it look more natural and add some depth and interest. I was careful not to overdo this because I wanted areas where the viewers eyes could rest - in contrast with the 'action areas' of the cave.
I added reddish brown paint to the back wall, which would be the focal point of the cave when the series of wooden circles were in place. I manipulated the paint to create the effect of blood flowing down the wall - with connotations of imenstruation, fertility and womanhood. I want the viewer to see the main feature from a distance (as they approach) and wonder what it's about. The images are not clear from a distance and require closer inspection. Then once they enter the cave they will notice the handprints and that should give them the visual clue that they are in a cave and this will help them realise that the work has some link to prehistory. In my statement I will point out that the handprints are generally believed to have been made by 'man the hunter' but recent research points out that they were made by women not men. This will alert the reader that the work has a feminist angle to it.
Here is a short video that shows some of the work I've done inside the cave. It'll give you an idea of where I'm up to with my 'work in progress' and also a glimpse into my studio at college. Things are getting exciting now! it's all coming together, and in a couple of weeks it will be time for the degree assessment and the final art show.
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