IB Art Semester 1: Final Presentation

1. IB Art Semester 1: Final Presentation Theme: Contrast and Layers Maya Arthur

2. Candidate Statement Art in multiple forms has always been a large part of my life. Since I was a young child I loved the fact that I could express myself creatively utilizing any medium. When I got to middle school I struggled with visual art significantly and found myself willing to forgo personal expression because of my self consciousness. I was afraid that the way I expressed myself wasn’t good enough, or too abstract compared to my peers and the artists I admired. But, when I began  IB Art I slowly began feeling more comfortable with the way I expressed myself through visual art. By learning and practicing proper technique with a variety of mediums, I began to feel more self assured and confident. The process of researching and finding an inspiration for a specific piece guided me to focus more on the quality of work I was producing. And although I was at first indifferent to the process of recording in the  Investigative Workbook, it has helped define the ideal planning process for myself. Learning how to utilize several different mediums ranging from acrylic, tempera, watercolor, chalk, and chalk pastels has allowed me to become comfortable with experimentation. When reflecting on a possible theme towards the end of last year until this year I realized that all of the pieces I have completed thus far are comprised of two or more mediums creating an interesting layered effect. As well, the issues within my compositions focus on an element that compares two or more cultures, societal issues, or historical time periods. The theme of layers and contrast is a central aspect that combines the multiple issues as well as physical representations demonstrated in my collection thus far. The following presentation shows the research and techniques I used in completing these compositions, and how they represent the theme of layers and contrast.

4. Breaking Barriers • Theme: Defining Motivation • Difficulty of defining an abstract term like motivation because it is different for every person • Artists: • Marcel Duchamp • Romare Bearden • Influence: Reflection on the individual aspects that motivate me personally to complete a goal. Acrylic on Canvas

6. Muddled Identity • Theme: Importance of Written Language vs. Cultural Assimilation • Exploring the loss of identity when attempting to assimilate into a new culture, as well as language as a medium of communication. • Artists: • Robert Delaunay Watercolor, Acrylic, Ink on Canvas

7. Research Process:

9. Realistic Road • Theme: Perspective’s Role in Reality • The way humans view specific aspects leads them to differentiate between what is real and unreal. • Artists: • Romare Bearden • Influence: I was inspired by a surrealist piece completed last year, and wanted to experiment with mixed media techniques. Mixed Media on Canvas

12. My Body, Through Your Eyes • Theme: Evolution of Society’s View on the Female Body • This piece demonstrates how women view themselves based on the perspective of men, trends in fashion, and culture. • Art Styles: • Collage • Mixed Media • Influence: The history of female body image and its evolution on female psyche due to various factors. Mixed Media on Canvas

15. Subconscious Identity • Theme: Specific Factors that make up an Individual/ Subconscious vs. Conscious goals • I wanted to indicate and explore the aspects of the human psyche that combine to make a person, as well as the influence subconscious goals have in shaping a person. • Artists: • Chuck Close • Gustave Courbet Acrylic, Chalk Pastel on Canvas

18. Atonement (in progress) • Theme: Reparation of Sins • Artists: N/A • Style: Romare Bearden, Mixed Media • Influence: I wanted to create a darker image of the crucifixion of Christ and display the focus more on the sins of the world as a primary aspect rather than the glorification of Christ as a figure. The immense sinful nature of humans required a vast sacrifice. Mixed Media on Canvas

20. Thank You!!!