Throughout my entire process of
IB Art, I’ve developed a body of work that embodies the theme of duality.
Dualism as a whole is a very broad and contrasting subject because it
juxtaposes two (or more) incompatible features. In real life, there is always
an opposition or disagreement towards any subject discussed. Dualism has been
present in my life through point of views, perceptions, and general events that
occur, hence, I was able to explore several different events that have this
theme. For example, the event of growing
up, following masses, understanding the nature of humans, and most importantly,
defining myself. Because of the influence, various motifs, such as society,
ballerinas, nature and personal thoughts, are present all across my artworks.
As mentioned before, there are
specific issues that were developed throughout my work. In the case of society,
I developed the idea of perceptions. I argued in my work two different point of
views: personal and societal. Also, ballerinas and nature contrasted their
essence with their manipulation. Finally, I believe that my own personal
thoughts and perceptions are the ones who develop the most interesting artworks
with contrasts. All of these situations explore the same theme of duality with
several different symbols and motifs.
The main medium I used throughout
my body of work was acrylic painting. Nevertheless, the application varies
according to the artwork. I explored different uses of acrylics and mixed media
in order to add material significance to my art. Some examples of these
alternate techniques are using diluted acrylics, modeling paste, cardboard and
different types of surfaces. I also explored other materials that are used in
my sculptures. I began experimenting on golden aluminum and after I molded my
first figure, I decided to set it on fire with a candle. The metal darkened
with ash and it created a texture in the aluminum that worked great. Also, I used
puzzle pieces with glue to create a spherical figure. This eventually
translated into a lamp, where the light shined through the holes between the
pieces.
I have lived or been involved in
most of the real life situations presented in my work. Thus, this made me
analyze several situations very differently: as a bystander. From this point of
view, I was able to link the relationship between the artwork and the viewer.
Controversial messages or images are what drag the attention the most, so when
I painted, this aspect had to be a key element. Eventually, all of my art
developed an intriguing symbol or message that makes the viewers stop and think
because of the dualism. This is the visual impact that I seek in my exhibition.
Throughout my exhibition, I arranged my
artworks in a wall according to the situation they are developed. There will be
three different groups that take into account either ballerinas, nature, or
society. On the opposite side of the hallway, the lamp made out of puzzle will
shine over all of my art. It will give it a unique pattern and will show the
influence of my thoughts in all of my works.
My exhibition is filled with:
contrasting thoughts that criticize society as whole, powerful messages of
dualism, and symbols of dancers, humans or nature in order to enhance the
meaning of the theme. From the audience that sees my work, I expect them to
stop and actually think about the message. My art is filled with hidden
messages that come from several inspiring authors. Edgar Degas, Regardt van der
Meulen and Priscilla Monge, made me analyze the theme of dualism from the point
of view of outsiders well and insiders. By this manner, the utilization of my
artwork “The Mush”, (a lamp made out of puzzle pieces), will be my main
strategy to attract the attention of viewers. The light with different
reflection will shine over my work, making it stand out from the rest of the
exhibitions.
Birdy Dancer by Carolina Fernandez
Diluted acrylics with modeling
paste on canvas.
72 cm x 107.2 cm
Edgar Degas’ “14-year old dancer”
sculpture inspired my use of the symbol of a ballerina and its exploration. For
this artwork I studied different ballet positions to recreate movement and
fluidity in my painting. I used modeling paste as well to give some
free-flowing texture to the background and painted over it with diluted
acrylics. Being a ballet dancer has many constraints (perfect posture, body,
etc.), however, I used the symbol of a bird to contradict this idea and give
her freedom.
Burnt Fragility by Carolina Fernandez
Mixed Media. Golden aluminum and
found objects.
16 cm x 26 cm x 13 cm
A flower and the golden color are
stereotyped as feminine and fragile, however, in my artwork I intend to
demonstrate the opposite perspective. Here is where material significance takes
an important role. I began experimenting on the aluminum and after I molded my
first flower, I decided to set it on fire with a candle. The metal didn’t move
and the ash created a texture in the aluminum that worked great. This result
gave me the message I desperately wanted in relation to my theme.
Jean-Charles by Carolina Fernandez
Linoleum print on white paper.
101 cm x 51.5 cm
My artwork “Jean-Charles” is a print of a
portrait that has two profiles and a frontal face, all jointed into one by the
eyes and eyebrows. This is meant to express the duality that exists within 3
different stereotypical personalities seen from my personal point of view.
These characters are: the beautiful, friendly and positive; versus the real,
and deep; versus the fake, belligerent, and wannabe. This triptych has
contrasting value with the purpose of enhancing the theme of duality.
Me y Moi by Carolina Fenandez
Oils on canvas and cutouts in
paper.
61 cm x 71 cm each
This diptych is a contrast between two
different styles of self-portraiture. The first one is the realist view of
myself and the other one, inspired from Henri Matisse’s cutout art, is the
design perception. The realism and design in both of the portraits are meant to
follow similar figures, however, the technique is what makes them contrast as a
whole. They add up to my theme of duality because it describes two of my major
personal characteristics, the “real me” and the “artistic me”.
Sweet and Sour by Carolina Fernandez
Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
Size: 50.8 cm x 40.6 cm.
Originally, my intentions for this
artwork was to illustrate a still life painting. However, South African painter
Regardt van der Meulen, inspired me to look at nature from contrasting
perspectives. He analyzed in his art the true meaning versus the perception of
society. Therefore, I decided to enhance several fruits in order to create a
contrast between them, their dual meaning, and the message they deliver to the
viewers.
The Feet by Carolina Fernandez
Mixed Media with acrylics on
canvas.
61 cm x 61 cm
This piece exemplifies the conscious nature of
a person’s internal conflict as it shows how present a person’s choices and
decisions are and ever present at the forefront of our consciousness. My
intentions with this composition are primarily to comment on the responsibility
a person wields with weighing out alternatives and perspectives in situations
where alternatives are easy to evaluate on a qualitative basis but never a
quantitative one.
The Mush by Carolina Fernandez
Puzzle pieces with diluted glue.
24 cm x 51 cm x 19 cm
This sculpture addresses the deepest
thoughts that one may have which contradict themselves. It is a globe created
with puzzle pieces that has a light coming from the inside. The pieces are
different and don’t fit together, symbolizing the different contrasting
thoughts. This creates a complexity within the same human, making a dual
personality filled with arguments and point of views.
Undisguised by Carolina Fernandez
Acrylics on cardboard.
60 cm x 97 cm.
This composition demonstrates, under the
same subject, the inner and the outer view of the body. Here, I am contrasting
the perception of individuals in relation to a woman’s natural body.
Furthermore, I do not intend to portray the desired body of a woman, I want my
painting to be as natural as possible. The skin is broken down smoothly in
order to show the skeleton that is equal to any other in any single body.
Feos o lindos? by Carolina Fernandez
Acrylics on canvas.
79.5 cm x 115 cm x 8 cm
This 3D composition of different canvas
represents two different and distorted profiles of a face. Looking at different
extremes, the profiles are meant to contrast in their facial shapes and how
“beautiful” they are considered. My intention from this artwork is to describe
how distorted perceptions can be from every individual. I expect the viewers to
evaluate the forms and shapes differently, and see how they can define a
completely distorted composition.
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