A change of heart

A change of heart

I looked back upon my original face charts and decided it was just not good enough. I want to try something new, be unique and unconventional; so with a little direction from my tutor I decided to look further into artists that target the subject area of deformity, skin manipulation and layered make-up application.

I used pinterest to research photographers, painters, make-up artists and other designers, and created a board for reference and inspiration. 

Photographers Wes Naman's work 'Scotch Tape' (left) represents a series of portraits with his models covered in tape distorting their features. His work looks similar to a piece created by Douglas Gordon 'Monster' 1997, where this technique was also used. I am using Naman's project 'Scotch Tape'  as reference as his use of a simplistic material is a creation of something highly effective and a perfect representation of distortion.

'The Ugly Truth' by Rut Mackel, photographer Mackel had his models press their faces up against framed glass to get this image of facial distortion. Mackel's images reflect personal identity. Just as within my concept Rut Mackel wants to challenge people's perception of physical beauty. 

Natalia Pereira's project communicates the concern towards the domination of habitual consumerism. For my project I have started to look at the perception of beauty and body image discovering a psychological disorder called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), disrupting their personal perception of their body image, causing distress and phobias.  This project, appropriately named 'Dismorfobina',  also explores factors of this disorder.

As stated in my FMP proposal I want to use the face as my blank canvas. This is exactly what artist Boo Ritson does, she paints her models with emulsion which creates another dimension along with presenting the observer with ambiguity. She portrays a sense of realism as well as a likeness of static art.

Renowned photographer Cindy Sherman transforms herself with the use of make-up, she shows how effective make-up is as a material for transfiguration. Using her work as a reference is important for my project, inspiring me to push boundaries and using make-up effectively to portray the questioning Sherman's work conveys in several ways.             

This sequence of images by Paco Peregrin intrigued me by the use of bright colour and the bandage across the face, it is beautiful yet ominous.