Discomfort - Week Two

This week I created a range of initial responses and further research added into my sketchbook upon Eva Hesse and Gillian Wearing.

Within my initial responses I created a range of sculptural responses to present anxiety and personal space using string an tights.

My use of string was created in response to my research found when reading ‘Cringeworthy’, upon the feeling of a knotted stomach, nausea and chaos that is felt when experiencing anxiety. Using the string as a visual metaphor to show these knots within our stomach. This was taken from a drawing which was created when I was personally experiencing anxiety and how I visualise this emotion. I chose to use charcoal as I felt this use of material further exaggerates the fragility of emotions when experiencing severe anxiety. The chaos within this initial drawing was then translated into my use of string to show the knots in the stomach which is felt.

I then took this use of string forward by using it to restrict a pair of tights which I had stuffed to look like arms (as I can’t use models due to covid). By binding these ‘arms’ together it creates a sense of discomfort by the force of the string moulding the two arms together creating folds and curves. Although these curves may appear appealing, the act of the string bonding the two arms together then shows the viewers how unsettling invading personal space can actually feel. Within my work I really want to show the emotions which are felt when under different experiences of discomfort as I feel using my personal experience will help project and develop understanding for those who do not experience much discomfort/anxiety. I find this piece successful and would like to take this idea of personal space further without the use of tights, maybe using a skin coloured fabric to make the sculpture present more of a visual connection to humans/body parts.

Within this use of string I took this idea further by presenting restriction/anxiety within a photoshoot. In this photoshoot it shows this use of knotted string surrounding the model on the backdrop to show the anxiety that can consume/surround us at all times. Further wrapping this string around the models head to show how anxiety can be all consuming. However, I chose to use confident posing of the model to show how anxiety is often forced to be ignored and dismissed by others so we just have to carry on as though our anxiety isn’t valid. Although ignoring anxiety is never possible, many do still carry on as though nothing is wrong, myself included. Masking all the worry that constantly restrict and attacks our day to day lives.

Quite a productive week and will develop upon these ideas once back in the studio next week!