Lesson 4. Graphic Shifts: The Photographic Self

As a method of exploring notions of identity and self-‐narrative the blending of photography and graphic mediums has the potential to evoke and articulate a multi-‐layered experience of the picture plane as well as triggering a deeper physiological response. The underlying concern for this lesson is for students to engage in a process that attempts to discover various ways of reconcilingthe relationship between the photographic image and the individual graphic response. Conveyed through a series of works that use photographic body-‐portraits as a starting point, students are to engage a variety of mediums to explore the relationship between the photographic self-‐image and the graphic response.

Brief: For this lesson students are to come prepared with a collection of full body-‐portraits and the choice of several disparate material surfaces that can be incorporated into either a series of resolved collage works or one multi-‐media piece. The disparate materials may include coloured paper, tracing paper, fabric, muslin, sandpaper grit on board, sandpaper, felt etc. as long as it can hold a graphic mark.

A suggested starting point is to construct a collage from your photographic images that will then be used to engage a variety of graphic mediums. The traditional mediums of graphite, charcoal, ink and paint can be employed but be mindful of incorporating a graphic medium that reflects a certain physiological or emotional connection to your own photographic image.

Apart from exploring the way that different mediums respond to surfaces the underlying concern in this exercise is the degree to which the introduction of a new medium alters ones relationship and response to the photographic image. Keep in mind that the notion of the ‘self-‐portrait’ can be interpreted not only through body image but also through more open metaphoric associations. The scale of the work and the choice of backing material is also part of your considerations.

Explore:

disconnection felt from the old self - this was explored by painting, inking and drawing over images of the old self

the new self being bound by the old self

the use of creating chains is a craft and thereputic process, and cutting up of the old images

the creation of this work is a self recognition of what the old self was and the process of creating

Annette Messager a new feminism

Messager is known mainly for her installation work which often incorporates photographs, prints and drawings, and various materials.

ABOVE :Les enfants aux yeux rayés (1972), comments on the constant pressure placed upon the modern woman by society to procreate, presenting a group of newspaper photographs of anonymous young children with their eyes scratched out in pen.