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Unit 3 Assessment

  • Writer: George
    George
  • May 27
  • 4 min read

Updated: May 27

Five Minute Video:


A short dive into how my vision has changed since attending UAL.



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Blog Curation:


Outcome 1:

Present evidence of a body of work that demonstrates a systematic enhancement of your knowledge and understanding. (AC Realisation)


I began my MA working on a series Order/Disorder which spoke to the conflict of the mind, the constant ramblings that happen, sometimes keeping me awake at night, sometimes whilst on the tube. But even moreso it was an a discussion on mental health and the order we are expected to fit into whilst navigating internal battles. This project was a precursor to my current focus on the self. It was first displayed at our interim show in March 2024.


Fragmented States is a continuation of my discussion on mental health. Using torn pieces of printed images I've created 3D collages which are quite fragile as they are not protectd by glass or a frame. This vulnerability mirrors personal challenges I've experienced as a result of family issues, my financial situation, my health and the pressure of creating work. I didn't realise it at the time but looking back, mental health (including my own) features quite a lot in my work. 


Typically my work has focused on the black make experience within the UK. Untitled (aka Life Whilst Black) places my character MUFA (Made Up Face) in imaginary settings; the locations aren't even important, the work is about brotherhood and connections. The scenes are inviting due to the layers, bold colours and playful nature. MUFA isn't afraid to flaunt his sexuality despite the negative reception he receives from his own community. Homosexuality is still often frowned upon, sometimes met with violence and ostrasization. MUFA sets out to normalise the presence of black queerness.


Works such as Dangerous Black Men challenges the viewer to address common misconceptions and stereotypes by presenting the black male in powerful and respected vocations. I ask the question "what makes a black man dangerous?" in respect to the authorities as well as to individuals.


Links:

• Stolen Goods - Research



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Outcome 2:

Synthesise and critically reflect coherently on your process whilst providing evidence of an active, independent and/or collaborative practice. (AC Process)


I've always strived to produce work that addresses problematic representations of the black male; the threat, the hypersexualised, the lazy. In doing so I've flipped the script and offered an alternative take. On reflection I've been telling my own story from the beginning but then that's always been the point of MUFA (made up face), he is formed from many faces and thus resembles no one whilst representing us all. The marginalised are often grouped together and not viewed as individuals. As someone who has always guarded his private life I have found it challenging to turn the attention to myself and I'm hindsight I believe this was also the point of creating MUFA, someone I can hide behind, he represents me.


Showing Order/Disorder on the big screens at the interim show cemented what I had thought previously about my work being illuminated from behind. I was impressed with how the images looked when blown up so large. Most of my collages are created in Photoshop using 16 bit mode, this offers more detail, a wider range of colors and reducing the opportunity for any unwanted artefacts to creep in. Evidently this paid off. In October 2024 Tower Hamlets commissioned the use of my Royal Male stamps, an ongoing series originally created as part of my BA Photography course. The stamps were used to promote Black History Month and appeared on bus stop posters across the borough. This offered another opportunity to view the work illuminated from behind and proved to be highly effective.


For Fragmented States I decided to use torn prints on a fiat sheet of paper, some of the tearouts were loosely attached and buckled in order to raise them from the plain giving the series a 3D aspect. Although delicate I chose not to protect them behind glass in order to create a feeling of vulnerability. I exhibited the series in 2D print form in Belfast as part of an exhibition entitled Elegiac Residue by my collective Seven Int.


Links:

• Why Collage?

• Nostalgia



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Outcome 3:

Summarise and evaluate your overall progress and formulate a constructive plan for continuing Personal and Professional Development. (AC Communication)


I think it would be fair to say that my output could have been higher, looking back on my work I can see that there are long periods where I haven't created at all. This disappoints me as I have allowed "life to get in the way". But moving forward I plan to address this by writing more, documenting my feelings and using them to create work.


Making art will remain an essential part of my life and it's fair to say that completing the MA has provided me with firm foundations on which to build my practise. It's helped me recognise where my weaknesses are and armed me with the confidence to embrace my strengths. It's provided me with a strong network of capable and inspiring artists that I'm proud to call friends. At this stage I'm not even concerned with achieving great grades (or passing at all), it's the journey that has proved most valuable.


Links:

• Nostalgia



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