Visual Metaphors / further drawing exploration

Last week we were set a 'visual metaphors task', where we were given a vague word, and in groups we had to come up with ways that we could draw the word.

Difficulties/

I have had so many difficulties with 504 so far, just that kickstart  with turing my research into drawings, and exploring Oliver Sacks visually has been a real challenge for me. Mainly because I have been overwhelmed with what other people have been doing (a massive flaw of mine!) which has set me into panic mode and disbelief that my visual work is substantial.

Problem Solving

I started by making my own list of visual metaphors to do with Oliver Sacks, which helped me to figure out what I can draw relating to key themes surrounding him as a person and his life.

Oliver Sacks visual metaphors:

• Depression- darkness, white eyes, melting, being trapped, being caged like an animal,feeling small, physical weakness
• Neurology- Brain, mind, eyes, senses, hospital, machines, equipment, wires, medication, pills, drugs, instruments
• Empathy- storytelling, unlocking the mind, writing

One of my tutors suggested that I just get a huge piece of paper and go crazy and fill it with drawings. I did struggle initially but I found a few ways of working that I was comfortable with including:

• Paper cutouts
• Ink drawings
• Fineliner drawings

Other work I have produced this week

Potato Prints!

I thought that these were moderately okay, although I could probably capitalise on these by trying out similar techniques but with a lino print instead, for better and more efficient results.

Responses to the film Awakenings

I focused on quotations and portraits initially to create an accurate portrayal of the emotions and themes within the film.  There were some extremely powerful messages in writing, although something I struggle with at times is using text and image together. This is something that I could capitalise on.

Paper cuts

This is my favourite piece of work that I have produced so far, working with shape seems to be something that comes naturally to me and that I can visualise and develop efficiently, so I definitely think that I should capitalise on this in this next week.