Lucy Foskett
Contextual studies Assessment task 111 – Major Essay
Tutor: Malcolm Mosley
words: 860
Chose one work by each of two different post-modern artists. Describe each work and explain how and why they are postmodern. Discuss the content of the images and how they are made.
This Essay will explore two pieces of work by different artists. I have chosen to look at Maxine Sutton and Claire Cole because they have both influenced a lot of my recent work. I will be analysing there work and the qualities which define them as post-modern artists. Postmodernism is the shift from modernism to a more consumerist way of living. Modernism refers to a certain period of western cultural, artistic and sociological history; this period covers the later nineteenth and earlier twentieth century’s. Modernism is a vague and general term that refers to a period of great change in the western world. The change is mainly due to reality and different ways of thinking. One of the main reasons for this change was the First World War.
Today we live a post-modern society; one of the characteristics of postmodernism is that the world is seen as a much more complex and uncertain place. It is an attempt to think beyond the confines of the past. Like modernism postmodernism rejects all boundaries this rejection also includes the boundaries between different forms and genres of art. The art development of bricolage and pastiche are examples of this
Maxine Sutton likes the idea of the workshop household described by Mark Rosenthal “If one were to imagine a workshop household, one would envision a situation where most, if not all things were made in a more imaginative and beautiful way than in quotidian life”[1] “the “importance of our interactions with materials, texture pattern and the handmade” [1] her recent research was how she was evoked by memories of home and her childhood, things like decretive patterns and wallpapers reminded her of her love for patterns as a child. Maxine remember how the furniture in her grandparents house acted as an “assortment” of scenery for games and props to be built around. Maxine combines a lot of different techniques throughout her work a lot of her she makes collages from found objects e.g., materials and paper and then sews into these using hand embroidery as well. Her work influences me because I like looking at vintage antiques and old bits and pieces I find, this is very much the same for Maxine her work is very vintage. This is what makes Maxine a post-modern artist."Sustainability is a priority, materials a mixture of natural organics such as cotton, hemp, linen and wool combined with found/recycled/vintage materials. Embroidered elements use plant dyed wool yarn, cotton, alpaca, silk and linen.” [1]
Claire Cole designs wallpapers using cut out old wallpaper and uses it to redesign her own. Claire designs and produces bespoke embroidered wallpapers for private clients and commercial projects. [2] All wallpapers are designed and handmade in house as well as the luxury wallpaper Claire designs imagery for the gift market. Just recently she launched a range of gift cards which are sold in paper chase and independent stores. Claire is classed as a post-modern artist as well because just like Maxine Sutton Claire uses vintage patterns and reproduces them into modern wallpapers.
Maxine Sutton and Claire Coles work all has a very eco friendly edge. Maxine’s pieces strike just the right edge between texture, colour, form and references to culture and the environment. Gorgeous embroideries stitched cloth, screen printed images and needle punch felting characterizes Maxine Suttons work. What is really interesting is that she uses combinations of reclaimed or organic fabric, low impact printing methods, and plant dyed yarns sourced from the Pyrenees all to keep her art production ethnical and sustainable. Claries work is also very eco friendly, Claire Cole collects vintage wallpaper and accessories and gives them her touch and adds her designs. Claire adds patterns and different textures to her wallpapers and makes collages for her range of wallpapers, ceramics and gift cards.
Maxine Suttons work would be classed as more postmodern than Claire Coles work because she doesn’t just make 2d work she also puts her work onto ceramics, wallpapers and a lot of other things. Were as Claire Coles work is very flat based, 2d work until recently she has produced some 3d work. Maxine Suttons work is a lot more collaged based and there are more things going on where as Claire Coles work is about one everyday thing for example, lamp shades, animals and furniture and Maxine Suttons is a mixture of everything put together.
Overall both Maxine Sutton and Claire Cole clearly represent postmodernism and how we live today; using recycled materials represents clearly how we live in an “eco friendly” and recycling world. Whilst the techniques and materials in these images are different what they both use and how they work is very similar. For clear reasons, both of these pieces represent how art has changed over the past century. It’s Works like this that help make a smooth change into art that is being made today.
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