Contextual Studies: Assessment Task II
Laura Sanders
Malcolm Mosley
493 Words
British artist Keith Tyson, renowned for his ability to create amazing installations, winning the Turner prize in 2002, has greatly influenced my latest work. In particular his collection of 300 pieces, together create the “Large Field Array” 2008 collection.
This collection works as a whole in a large gallery space as the viewer negotiates their own path through the grid of sculptures. “…linked together they can produce a much sharper, more detailed image of the universe.”
However it is this piece that I am fascinated by. The sculpture is two feet squared that stands on a plinth and made using mixed media. The individual piece has no name, only known as just a “detail” to the “Large Field Array” collection.
There is a definite narrative in this piece. The ideas behind it only Keith Tyson would know as the individual pieces are not given any definition. It is up to the interpretation of the viewer to decide what the piece means.
I really like the huge amount of detail and ideas put into this piece, small vital elements such as the men in the boats at the creature’s feet that appear to be its shoes. The man climbing the ladder inset in a jug that resembles something like a hat on the creature’s head. Two people are drinking at a table inside the hollow back end of the creature which is where it seems to be looking. The creature is very tree like; its legs are like trunks and assume the texture and colour of bark. The owl and crow perched on its branches help to illustrate this further. There is nothing short of imagination in this piece, however it is well designed and produced making it believable as if it sprung into being. This piece reminds me of Edward Lear’s nonsense poems which generally consisted of bizarre narratives such as this. Keith Tyson’s work apparently was influenced by Jeff Koons. When analysing both artists work it is easy to see some similar elements between the two such as the realism and exaggeration in their sculptures.
Keith Tyson inspired and influenced my own work such as my sculpture designs. In this 3D piece I used the same concept; exaggeration of shapes and ideas that create an unusual narrative. My aim was to create a dragon creature that breaks the stereotypical appearance and ideas.
To start with I researched and observed nature such as reptiles. Then I added the unusual element of octopuses and squids that changed the look of my dragon entirely. This is a trial piece made with a wire skeleton covered in modelling wax. A much different material used to Keith Tyson’s work, however it enabled me to create the tentacle shapes and smooth skin texture like a snakes.
Even though this is a design idea and trial, I would expand upon this piece more using various materials that would enable me to create something similar to Keith Tyson’s polished pieces.
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