Research behind the inspiration:
After consulting my Meet me at MOMA matrix of workshop topics, actions and materials lists I decided to engage with the very versatile medium of clay and the topic of Still Life.
So I began researching for artists who are know for engaging with the topic of Still Life.
Funnily enough the traditional artist that I chose for inspiration for this workshop was Caravaggio. Even though he was a painter and the art work that I chose to discuss was a Still life in oil I felt his unique use of shadow and light was cutting edge at the time the piece was created. These techniques that Caravaggio employed really emphasised the drama and beauty of the still life subject.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 29 September (1571– 18 July 1610) was an Italian painter active in Rome for most of his artistic life. His paintings combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, which had a formative influence on Baroque painting.
Caravaggio employed close physical observation with a dramatic use of chiaroscuro: he made the technique a dominant stylistic element, darkening shadows and transfixing subjects in bright shafts of light.
On the other hand when it came to chosing the more contemporary artistic inspiration I decided to explore the work of Daphne Wright and more specifically her still life works created in unfired clay.
Personally I was drawn to the simplicity of idea, materials and the beauty of her art works.
Daphne Wright (born 1963) is an Irish visual artist, who was elected as member of Aosdána in 2011. As well as taking part in exhibitions nationally and internationally, she has also produced large-scale commissions. She lives and works between Dublin and Bristol.
According to Wright’s biographical statement her work “is the result of a relentless curiosity into the way in which a range of languages and materials can create an involvement with often unspoken human preoccupations.” Her practice consists of casting, making, sound recording, filmmaking and drawing resulting in series of works that explore subjects such as prayer, literature, song, ageing and death. Wright’s work includes a use of materials that range from plaster, tinfoil, video, printmaking, found objects and performance.
Workshops kindly funded by the Adelaide Health Foundation, Community Health Initiative Scheme 2019
Supported by The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. Special thanks to Alan Carrick, Mary Mooney, Silva Schwer and all the staff, clients and friends of Rose Cottage.
Art and Dementia projects 