Make a drawing which forces the viewer to use time differently.  This may mean a drawing which takes time to make sense of, or a drawing that creates a feeling of a certain pace.  The drawing may need an investment of time by the viewer in some way.  A drawing is a record of the time you spent making it, but the viewer also spends time looking at it, perhaps seeking meaning, enjoying its beauty or marvelling at the artist’s skill.

For this exercise I tried to think of a piece of work that I had spent a long time looking at.   I thought again, about the Alisdair Gray Exhibition and decided to use one of his prints; Faust in His Study, 1958, 84 x 82 cm.  There is a lot of detail in it, and the images are juxtapositioned in a way that keeps your eye moving around the composition, as you try to make sense of it all.

                            Alistair Gray Faust in His Study, 1958

The original ‘Faust in his Study’ was painted by Rembrandt circa 1652. It shows a scholar transfixed by an orb of light that holds a secret code. In Gray’s version, all the knowledge of life and experience teems through this incredibly detailed work, intertwining symbols of death, love and human endeavour alongside what lies beyond our world.

I was also influenced by a painting called Universal Art by Joaquin Torres-Garcia in 1943.  Images of a man and a woman, the sun and moon, clocks houses, astrological signs and a Greek cross are arranged in a tight, grid-like pattern on the canvas.  These references to man, nature, civilisation, astrology and religion suggest that this work is about the fundamental elements of human existence. (Phaidon, 1996:464).

I decided that I didn’t want my drawing to be as dark and disturbing as Gray’s.  I wanted to use geometrical shapes in a similar way to his and keep the image monochrome.  It’s hard to explain why, but I’ve found I’ve been drawn to black and white images throughout this course, right from the very beginning when I did the bar code drawings.  When colour is added to a drawing it often adds a dimension that wasn’t there before.  This can be used to advantage, such as the way Expressionists used it to evoke a mood or emotion, however a lack of colour can also be used to simplify, allowing the viewer to focus on line, shape and patterns without distraction.

I decided to make the drawing autobiographical, for ease, and to lessen the need for research.  I began making notes on things I could include, not quite a mind map, but along the same lines.

I needed a compositional structure, so I used items from my studio desk for the geometrical shapes; a plate for the large circle and water pots for the smaller ones and squares.  To that I began adding things from my list; a daffodil because I was born on St David’s day, my cat, the Pisces symbol etc.  I decided I didn’t like the composition of this drawing.  I didn’t like the rectangle composition and the semi circles at either side led your eye out of the composition (although Gray used this successfully).

I started again this time with a square composition.  I placed one large circle in the centre, quartered it diagonally and added four smaller circles.  I then added horizontal and vertical lines.  I drew everything in pencil initially.  I started with the Pisces symbol, added a rainbow, sun, moon and stars, as did Gray.  I began with fairly straightforward ideas; star sign, house numbers etc, but strangely it evolved to a deeper level, as more and more references to my late mother were added.  It started out as images relating to my life and moved on to become philosophical with ponderings about life and death.  Perhaps I was inadvertently influenced by Gray’s image more than I thought. It probably took me about 6 weeks to complete.  I seriously underestimated how long it would take, drawing everything in pencil first, moving things around the composition until I was happy, then drawing in pen.

Autobiographic black drawing pen

Here is a key to the references, working from top left to bottom right;

1. Ace of Spades – the death card.
2. My left hand, showing my wedding rings, representing my love for my husband.
3. A dandelion clock, being blown to make a wish.
4. A snake from Snakes and Ladders, representing bad luck, or set backs in life.
5. An upside down rose wreath, which my siblings and I gave on my father’s funeral.
6. A ladder from Snakes and Ladders, representing good fortune, or progress in life.
7. The OCA logo, a huge part of my life.
8. The Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland, representing imagination.
9. 40 – previous house number.
10. A tree painting I’ve done various versions of.
11. A crescent moon and stars.
12. M C Escher’s print Sea and Sky.
13. The Earth.
14. A drawing of a rose by my niece which was included on my mother’s funeral order of service.
15. A self-portrait of my daughter Katy.
16. Monte Monaco, Sicily, one of my favourite places.
17. A daffodil as I was born on St David’s day.
18. The sun.
19. A cherub scrap from my childhood.
20. The silhouette of my son and fiancée.
21. M for my sister’s initial.
22. Runes from my favourite book, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
23. 28 – previous house number.
24. A rainbow, a symbol of hope.
25. Clouds, representing dreams ‘head in the clouds’.
26. 69 – previous house number.
27. Irn Bru bottle, always reminds me of my mother.
28. A rose, a recurring symbol in my work, representing ‘love’.
29. A bottle of wine.
30. A sun setting over the sea. a favourite image.
31. The Statue of Liberty, representing my friends and our adventures, as we’re just back from New York.
32. My tabby cat Fudge.
33. White swan, Black Cat; my homage to M.C. Escher.
34. Two fishes; the Pisces symbol.
35. A for my brother.
36. A bag of chips wrapped in news paper; one of my first jobs was in a chippy.
37. A jug of dead roses, representing loss.
38. A tube of my favourite watercolour colour; Payne’s Gray.
39. My previous black cat Slinky.
40. Second number 40 – another previous house number.
41. A butterfly drawing my daughter did for my mum’s funeral order of service.
42. Yes, my favourite band.
43. A Weeping Angel; a character from Dr Who, which represents fear to me.
44. Initial A for my name.
45. Van Goch’s Sunflowers.
46. L for my other sister.
47. A self-portrait of my youngest son.
48. My trusty 2B drawing pencil.
49. A unicorn chess piece, for no reason.
50. 22 from Catch 22, another favourite book and also pertinent to life’s difficulties.

The number 50 is also relevant as I’ve just reached that milestone age.

I’ve taken so long with this drawing, as often happens; it’s hard to be objective about the outcome.  Parts of it work better than others.  I really like the bottom right corner.  All the pieces slot together like a jigsaw, and the lines of the unicorn’s horn and the pencil continue the lines of the composition, with the impression of layers.  The unicorn horn echoes the line of the spout of the jug, and the handle repeats the shape of the number two  The top right doesn’t work so well. The sketchy drawing in the Earth and the rose make the images hard to make out.  When I compare my drawing to Gray’s his is so much more sophisticated.  Each element in his is integrated into the whole, things go under over and through others.  Having a totally black background makes the white objects and people stand out more and having perspective at the bottom gives the whole thing a three dimensionality.

If I were to make a similar drawing again I would use a totally black back ground. I would decide on the theme from the out set.  I would try to integrate the individual elements more using Gray’s techniques of having elements over, under and through. On the whole, I found it to be a successful exercise, although I wouldn’t rush to do another one, given the time commitment involved.

Reflect on the time spent by the viewer and how it relates to what you do as an artist.

It generated a lot of interest and discussion at my local art group and people did genuinely spend time looking at it and trying to figure it all out.  People of a similar age to me could relate to the cherub scrap, and some commented that at first it appeared to be a random group of objects, however the more they looked, the more they could see connections.

In addition I posted photographs on an OCA Facebook page and asked for feedback.  Here are some of the responses;

This very much an autobiographical piece loaded with personal symbolism and significance.

I looked at the whole photo first & thought I was just going to give it a glance. After a quick once over though I started wondering if it were a self-portrait / autobiography which made me look longer & harder, curious as to which part meant and then discovering little images I didn’t notice before.

I found your composition fascinating! I specially love the cat and Swan patterns and the fish and bird patterns so beautifully drawn. The detail is exquisitely executed. I could gaze at this for hours but only spent ten minutes so far I’m sure I will look again when I’m next in Front of my computer.

It feels like a diary of your life, everything that is significant and meaningful the detail is amazing

The dense complexity forces the viewer to spend time looking. The random association (or is it) generates narrative reading which also slows down the consumption of the piece. Additionally, the detail literally and metaphorically illustrates the passage of time in its construction. For me a smorgasbord of cultural influences and inspiration while at the same time being inspirational

Overall I find the composition fascinating – an image of chaos but of a life where the chaos is ordered and somehow slots into place. The life has travelled and studied different influences and there are indications of frustration and joy too and also finding places to rest peacefully

I found myself looking around – as if looking at a room full of objects – just trying to make sense of it and wondering what your thought processes were

This is very interesting, I have looked at it for a few minutes and feel I will need to look again, maybe more than once. To me it depicts a personal journey through good and bad times with lots of interesting references

an amazing amount of work to produce a complex image – compositionally I find it unsettling because there doesn’t seem to be a main focal point to the piece – that may be a deliberate intention on your part – I think revisiting this over several minutes the daffodil has become a quiet spot for me which helps me go back and consider the other imagery – don’t know if this reflection is what you were looking for – but am in awe of you spending so much time and care on a work

A from oca with the the cat from Alice and an angel forces speculation to generate narrative or personal meaning. Duchamp says; ” The viewer completes the picture

For me my eye rests on the tessellations as I can see influence of escher and I am a fan of Jinny Beyer (quilter). I am also drawn at the same time to the hand on the left and the Cheshire cat to the right with the clear indication of OCA … a story of life and happiness. I also really love the curled up cat … peaceful and safe. The whole composition is one of chaos but organised chaos as if it is different pieces of a life all finding their place

I agree with _____ about the amazing amount of work. I find it fascinating – so many images, from popular culture, but presumably full of personal meaning too. Looks like a lifetime encapsulated into one image. I did spend just about 4-5 mins on it, but could look at it over and over – like one of those very complicated album covers by a psychedelic band – keep staring and you’ll see much more! Could almost be a ‘trippy’ game board

In a way the artist has control over the viewer, they have the capacity to intrigue, arouse curiosity and grab the viewer’s attention.  In a sense, this could be viewed as the artist having power over the viewer and the ability to ‘steal’ their time.

Rework

I was so proud of this drawing, that I got a friend who is a professional photographer to photograph it for me.  My local art group enjoyed watching me draw this.  They liked the concept and three members have made their own drawing about themselves.

My tutor thought that it would be easier to read my key, if I did a diagram, similar to the key of the Beatle’s Sergeant Pepper album cover.  And it would also look more professional.  So I did this key, which I may include as part of my assessment.

1. Ace of Spades – the death card.
2. My left hand, showing my wedding rings, representing my love for my husband.
3. A dandelion clock, being blown to make a wish.
4. A snake from Snakes and Ladders, representing bad luck, or set backs in life.
5. An upside down rose wreath, which my siblings and I gave on my father’s funeral.
6. A ladder from Snakes and Ladders, representing good fortune, or progress in life.
7. The OCA logo, a huge part of my life.
8. The Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland, representing imagination.
9. 40 – previous house number.
10. A tree painting I’ve done various versions of.
11. A crescent moon and stars.
12. M C Escher’s print Sea and Sky.
13. The Earth.
14. A drawing of a rose by my niece which was included on my mother’s funeral order of service.
15. A self-portrait of my daughter Katy.
16. Monte Monaco, Sicily, one of my favourite places.
17. A daffodil as I was born on St David’s day.
18. The sun.
19. A cherub scrap from my childhood.
20. The silhouette of my son and fiancée.
21. M for my sister’s initial.
22. Runes from my favourite book, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
23. 28 – previous house number.
24. A rainbow, a symbol of hope.
25. Clouds, representing dreams ‘head in the clouds’.
26. 69 – previous house number.
27. Irn Bru bottle, always reminds me of my mother.
28. A rose, a recurring symbol in my work, representing ‘love’.
29. A bottle of wine.
30. A sunset; one of my favourite images.
31. The Statue of Liberty, representing my friends and our adventures, as we’re just back from New York.
32. My tabby cat Fudge.
33. White swan, Black Cat; my homage to M.C. Escher.
34. Two fishes; the Pisces symbol.
35. A for my brother.
36. A bag of chips wrapped in news paper; one of my first jobs was in a chippy.
37. A jug of dead roses, representing loss.
38. A tube of my favourite watercolour colour; Payne’s Gray.
39. My previous black cat Slinky.
40. Second number 40 – another previous house number.
41. A butterfly drawing my daughter did for my mum’s funeral order of service.
42. Yes, my favourite band.
43. A Weeping Angel; a character from Dr Who, which represents fear to me.
44. Initial A for my name.
45. Van Goch’s Sunflowers.
46. L for my other sister.
47. A self-portrait of my youngest son.
48. My trusty 2B drawing pencil.
49. A unicorn chess piece, for no reason.
50. 22 from Catch 22, another favourite book and also pertinent to life’s difficulties.

I agree it was a worthwhile exercise, and indeed, would probably cause the viewer to spend more time looking and interpreting, which fits the brief.

 

References

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/43Chdsg7qTVLdSmbGsHl7wz/alasdair-gray-at-80-seven-artworks