Title: Quick sketch of Old Hollywood glamour
Medium: Pen on paper
Location: Home
*Did this one day when i was bored and looking through some old Hollywood poster sites.
September 8, 2008
2D works #12 Self-portrait
Title: Self-portrait
Medium: Acrylic on paper, photoshop
Location: Home
*tThe picture is cropped because the hair part is incomplete. Adjusted with photoshop
September 7, 2008
Photography #11 A long long way to go
Title: A long long way to go
Medium: Photography
Location: Dunman High School
September 1, 2008
Photography #10 Sky city
Title: Sky city
Medium: Photography
Location: Perth, Australia
August 25, 2008
August 24, 2008
Writings #5 Two Buffaloes, Montien Boonma
Q:Describe the subject matter by Montien boonma, highlighting the significance of the materials used.
A: The installation piece “Two buffaloes” consists of two stuffed sacks each resting on a four-legged wooden stool. The sack that is on the viewer’s left is placed slightly in front of the other. This sack also as a straw-weaved “tail” that curls downwards and curls back at the tip. The other sack, which is on the viewer’s right-hand-side, has a dark brown buffalo horn planted onto it. The whole installation depicts two buffaloes standing together.
The colour of the work is mainly brown, with the buffalo horn being the darkest shade of brown. The “bodies” (sacks) appear rough to the touch because of the cloth rice sack material. The “tail” was roughed too because it is a bundle of thick, dried straw. The horn and the two chairs (which represent the legs) on the other hand, appear smooth and rather polished. No special lighting is used for the work.
Boonma is an artist who places great emphasis on the materials he uses to make his artworks. He has always believed that materials have their meanings and symbolisms. Boonma usually avoids using expensive traditional art materials such as oil paint and canvas, instead, he looks for his materials in his surroundings. He is most spontaneous when it comes to giving meaning to what we often deem as “useless materials”. Some of his favourite materials are sand, soil, ashes and wax. His unique choice of materials allow him to make artworks that are most “real”, natural and original. For this piece of work, he chose wooden chairs, cloth sacks, straw and a buffalo horn that is probably from a dead buffalo. All these materials are very affordable and accessible. They are not processed or tempered by the artist. therefore remaining in their original colour, form and texture. The brown tones and unrefined textures give off a feeling of buffaloes and the countryside where these animals are most usually found. The materials themselves already embody the qualities of the natural, rural and most basic. The artwork also reminds us of labour and hardship. Through artworks like this, Boonma sends the viewers important social and environmental messages through the simplest and most basic materials.
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Q: With reference to another work, explain why the subject matter appeals to you as an installation, as oppose to a painting.
A: Comparing “Two buffaloes” by Boonma with “The potato eaters” 1885, by Van Gogh, we see that both works focus on rural life and the labouring class. “two buffaloes” depict two buffaloes which are commonly used by farmers or rural labourers to help them with their works. “The potato eaters” protray a group of farmers sitting under a dim lamp and around a small table, eating plates of potatoes. Both artists seem to want to present to the viewers the lives of the poor labouring class.
The colours used by both artists are very similar too. Both works consist of brownish, earthy complementary colours. The colours are used high realistically in the works. However, as compared to “The potato eater”, in which colours are chosen, carefully applied and forms nicely modeled, “Two buffaloes” take the natural colours of its materials. This makes “buffaloes” a more meaningful piece because it is more candid, natural and realistic. The modeling of “Two buffaloes” is also left to natural lighting. It is important to retain the “natural” feeling because after all, the artists’ subject matters represent the “nature people”, those that do not belong with the man-made and fast-changing modern world.
Being a 3-Dimensinal piece, “Two buffaloes” allows viewers to walk around it and choose their own perspectives. The interpretation of the work thus becomes a more personal and original experience for the viewers. Whereas for the 2-Dimensional “The potato eaters”, viewers can only adopt the point of view that the artist “chose” for them. “Two buffaloes”, with its different materials, also allows greater variety and flexibility when it comes to textures. “The potato eaters” is painted with oil paint on canvas and there is almost no variations on texture. Viewers also cannot touch the painting, but only explore it with their sense of sight.
“Two buffaloes” is also a conceptual piece while “The potato eaters” is more literal and straightforward when it comes to the message behind it. Being a conceptual piece, “Two buffaloes” allows viewers great freedom and control when it comes to appreciating, interpreting and understanding it. The artist takes a backseat in telling the viewers what to think. Instead, possibilities are free up for the viewers and they can choose to see in the artwork “what they wish to see”.
August 16, 2008
August 4, 2008
July 29, 2008
Photography #6 Street lamp
Title: Street lamp
Medium: Photography, photoshop
Location: China
June 25, 2008
Design #8 Belated Lifeskills Camp 08 design!
Title: Lifeskills Camp Logo
Medium: Pen on paper
Location: -
