REVIEW. In Unit 1 & 2 we explored creative expression in the classical form of fine art.

From a a career as a photojournalistI found new ways of exploring my curiosities and

passions. From dry-point prints of funerals to plaster sculptures of mourning gods, I have

found new ways of expressing myself.

I was successful in my Unit 2 sculpture to find in art the capacity to express my frustration

and despair of the media images from the horror of October7th and the invasion of Gaza.

We were shown the possibilities of expression in photography and digital imaging and

manipulation. This is exciting and opens many new forms of expression for me.

A brief sculpture course crafting a terracotta head gave me an insight into form, shape,

scale and led me into exploring the three dimensions in my sculpture ‘Atlas in Gaza’

In addition, I explored colour and composition with acrylic paints and pastels,

understanding and discovering how to capture light and colour. It led me into producing a

successful triptych of panoramas with pastels on wood. This success has led me into

exploring pastels and drawing

PRoject concept

Shepherds Bush Market is a declining market in West London. It is in the early stage of a radical redevelopment, the market will be rebuilt, the stalls replaced, the project has the support of many of the stall holders, but remains controversial in the community, security guards patrol rigorously I live locally and know the market.The diverse community of stall holders and their customers interest me. I propose to spend time every week drawing and recording the market, the stall holders, their stalls, the contents, and, I hope, stories. This will be difficult; the stall holders are a diverse group, a few white British, the majority are Sikh, with people from the Middle East, Africa, Eastern and Southern Europe. It may be difficult to get their trust, and their agreement, to record their working lives. I have the permission from the Market owners and managers

 The market encapsulates many of the issues of the 21st century, poverty, inequality, trade, the commercial dominance of China, migration. Shepherds Bush was a white working-class suburb, it is now a maelstrom of diverse cultures, all to be found in the market It is shabby, chaotic, but still full of life. Its shapes, angles, colour, life fascinate me, I hope to record it before it disappears. 

From my drawings and photographs I am working on a series of prints and pastel drawings to reflect my impressions of the diversity of the market, not the ethnic mix but  the heady cocktail of open air fishmongers, food stalls, night dress and stocking  stalls, pots pans and plastic bowls. The commerce of the market depends on negotiation, it is not a priced regulated supermarket, but a free flowing social acuity with a bit of shopping on the side. I am reflecting this in a series of  drypoint prints and coloured pastel drawings. The final presentation will include a multi dimensional  representation of elements from a market stall

EVALUATION

Half way though my project I am feeling confident that I will be able to capture some of the essence of the market. Working in the printing and drawing studio over the last three weeks I have been encouraged by the positive criticism of my peers and  tutors. I have shown some of my work in the market to general approval and agreement that  it reflects some of the complexities of market life.