Metropolis

My work is focussing on creating new shapes and imagery which has a sense of many layers, be that physical or shadowed. To expand my research I watched the 1927 film Metropolis, directed by Fritz Lang. This film explores a futuristic city with a strong divide between the working class and the city planners. The stills taken from this are fitting with my project and interesting to see how images have been built up, creating an entire new city.  

The Drawing Book

Tania Kovats

To gather a better understanding of my drawing style I have researched other artists' way of mark marking. The book that I found the most influential was 'The Drawing Book' edited by Tania Kovats, and her work in particular. My work is taking a more futuristic turn, creating my own shapes and patterns. Her work takes a simple shape but then builds on it until it creates a type of world, with great depth in her images. This style of building up I want to use and explore in my drawings.  

Initial Drawings

My maquettes create interesting shapes and patterns, I have captured this with photographs but I have also attempted to replicate in ink and pencil drawing.

Cut and Fold

Looking at artist's use of shadow has inspired me to do the same within my work. I have experimented with cutting and folding plain paper, cutting in straight lines work well but other shapes fall apart when folded. Through these pieces I have changed the length and thickness of the cuts, creating different layers of shelves. When lit and photographed the shadows worked even better then I thought, depending on the  direction of the light each maquette can produce multiple shadow patterns. 

Shadow

Conrad Shawcross

Corneila Parker

Vong Phaophanit

Nancy Holt

Photographing my folded paper has drawn me to another element within wallpaper design, this being the pattern created through shadow. I have always been interested in light and shadow, so the idea of creating my work through this is very exciting. The artists above show a range of shadows, from repeat shapes to random objects, each creating interesting patterns on the wall in the rooms. 

Manipulating Paper

I have begun manipulating paper by using simple shapes in multiple, attaching them in different patterns onto paper. They are very basic and don't work in a way I had hoped, but the process as taught me a little on how strong paper is.

3D Wallpaper

Wall Decor 3D

Bovey Lee

Tomas Saraceno

This year I want to expand my wallpaper into 3D pieces, be that on a wall or in a more installation form. I have began research into artist who work this way, in particular 'Wall Decor'. This company combines the 3D element with their materials being eco-friendly or recycled, two elements that are important in my textile design.

I have also looked at Bovey Lee and Tomas Saraceno, two artists who manipulate paper in very different ways. Lee creates paper that create textures on walls, where as Saraceno creates installations. Both these artists will be useful in exploring paper manipulation. 

Inspiration - Travelling Asia

This summer I have spent 10 weeks travelling Asia, moving around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. I have experienced and visited some incredible places, which have inspired my next project.

The place that I feel most attracted my eye was Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The angular buildings with blends of decaying colour create levels and surfaces that I want to use to create textured wallpapers and installations.