Open Task 01 - Stippling

Initial Ideas / Approaches

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• Simplicity and meditation - in approaching this open task, I aimed to embrace a sense of simplicity and ease that would be fostered into a meditative practice.

• This approach was intended to alleviate anxiety and stress, often associated with perfectionism and pressure I apply to my creative practice. I sought to create a space where I could freely explore ideas without the pressure of producing a flawless result.

• Experimentation with gesture - During our consultation session of this task, I experimented with various gestural mark-making practices, relying upon a stream of consciousness like application process. Leading me to identify simple, repetitive strategies that could yield interesting outcomes over a period of time.

• My initial vision entered on exploring a singular gesture, allowing for a piece that was non-representational and devoid of recognisable imagery, thereby maintaining an abstract quality.

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How I Developed This into My Final Work

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• Stippling technique - Using a single acrylic pen with a fine tip, I committed to the process of dotting on a single A4 page until either the pen ran out or the surface was fully covered. This methodical approach allowed me to immerse myself, being present in the act of creation, fostering a sense of discovery and openness.

• Abstract form - As I became more accustomed to the use of the pen and the stippling process, I began to explore applying this technique to generating more unique abstract forms that would emerge organically over time. This evolution of form through repetition became a central aspect of the work, highlighting beauty of process over product.

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What Went Well

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• By maintaining an open mind and accepting the varied outcomes of the work, I experienced a significant release from the usual stress and pressure typically associated with perfectionism. 

• This shift allowed me to engage more deeply with the process itself.

• The stippling technique enabled me to develop intriguing forms that would evolve with each dot, showcasing the potential for depth and complexity within a seemingly simple gesture.

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What Could Be Improved

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• One area for enhancement would be to establish a greater overall cohesion across the multiple works displayed. Seeing as I originally chosen to create abstract forms the addition of the disco ball in the final presentation was a unnecessary clouded decision.

• Maintaining a cohesive visual language would strengthen the collective impact of the piece and create a more unified visual experience for the viewer.

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Where could I Go From Here

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• ​Larger scale exploration - I envision taking this body of work and using it as a research experiment that would lend knowledge and understanding to generating a single large scale work engaging with the same stippling technique.

• Enhanced presentation - The display and overall presentation of the final work felt somewhat underwhelming, due to the lack of framing devices. For future exhibitions or displays of this work I would explore incorporating a base element underneath each work to help frame the work more effectively, elevating its visual impact and giving the work its own space to occupy.

• Material connections in exhibition - During the group hang discussion, there was a suggestion of incorporating particular materials from the other exhibiting works. This approach could create a more unified formal connection among the pieces, enriching the overall exhibition and fostering a deeper dialogue between works.

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