Mixed Media

Most people would define a church or a temple as a house of God where worshippers come to pray. For me my church and my religion were my inspiration for my Year 12 art folio. Church interiors are greatly defined by their unique carved decorative features and their statues, which have dominant stance and definitive designs. I sat in church one day and was captivated by what was around me, and I wondered how such beautiful pieces were created. As I sat there, it occurred to me that I was really sitting in a religious art museum.
The theme for my art folio was 'that which is categorised as either religious art or gothic art'. In order to incorporate my religion into my art work concept, I began to research what Catholicism was about and why it drew so many worshippers to believe in this faith. Many biblical scriptures, fonts, references, images and miracle sightings were researched as I wanted to thoroughly review the basis of my art works concept of designs.
While I tested many media and created each piece of art work, I kept the words simplicity, antique, religious and ancient in mind. The three large panels were constructed out of a range of media, which were combined to create the collaged look. Papers ranging from all styles of texture yet limited to a theme of colours such as black, white, cream, gold and bronze were then cut into squares and rectangles and used for the collage.
Certain sections of the panels contained biblical stories that were printed on tracing paper, while other panels were created from scratch by applying spray paint, acrylic paint and poster paint to many different stylised papers. Another form of mixed media that was used was black silk material that was cut and placed on the collage to create a unique and individual look to a particular section. Layers upon layers of materials were placed on top of each other while I worked on the foreground, scale, balance, shape, colour and texture of each panel.
The art works combine visual communication design techniques that I learnt through my art and my knowledge of materials, which I had gained through my study of textiles; these were the main subjects I studied in my VCE years. However, it wasn't until Mrs Daniella Franze - my very enthusiastic and dedicated art teacher, whose passion for art is an inspiration to many - suggested that I apply Shellac glaze, that these pieces turned into sacred- looking treasures of the biblical and ancient world. Many smaller works were also created as I tried to revolutionise Catholic art of the past to form modern contemporary pieces. The use of scripture and typography designs were also incorporated throughout my folios and art works.
Overall, the art pieces were created from a religious point of view with the aim of challenging individuals viewing the art work to look at their own faith response. As a Catholic, I see my religion represented and compressed into a collaged mixed media construction. The whole outlook is portrayed as a stained glass window, yet once analysed, it can clearly be seen as sections of biblical images. The light that shines through the pillars is the reflective sunlight within the church, and the Shellac glaze represents the antique woods and various other structures that churches are famous for. I searched high and low only to find the inspiration for my masterpiece in my religion.

Copyright 2004 Zart Art & Zart Education Service