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Thread: Despair

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    Default Despair

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    I've just started a new series of work and I'm not getting good responses from my family critics so thought I'd test out an image here before I go too far.

    I am working towards an exhibition surrounding the topic of people being displaced in place as it relates to the Maasai. I haven't finalised the artist's brief yet, still fiddling around the edges of what I want to say but a lot of it revolves around the displacement of nomadic tribes.

    So this is one of the first images I've created and although the Maasai concerned probably wasn't feeling too much despair at the time, I think he was tired, you have to use the images you have in your portfolios.

    I am trying to give the series a mystical, spiritual feel. The colours are intentional as the Maasai tend towards red and purple. Appreciate your feedback.

    And I will come back and do some critiques tomorrow, just have to dash out now. Thanks very much.

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    I'm a bit unsure how to reply. The darkness conveys the despair. It does have that mystical, spiritual quality you wanted. On my monitor, though, I can't really tell what it is...can't see the human in the photo. and that curved shiny object in the middle catches my eye first. Since this is part of an exhibit, it would fit in with the others to tell your story. As a stand alone, I find it elusive.

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    Thanks Hazel, you have a point because I know exactly what the subject is I can see it immediately but I need to understand what others see. Your feedback is very helpful.

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    BPN Member Cheryl Slechta's Avatar
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    Hilary, I think this is wonderful - the essence of a native culture displaced - very dark, mysterious and uncertain. I happen to have a very large print of Desert Path by Veloy Vigil in my living room - here's a link to some of his prints - http://www.eleganthorsepictures.com/veviprofho1.html. It has the same feeling to me although most people who come to my house don't know what it is. Anyway, this is one vote for continuing with the series
    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince

    http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/

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    Hilary, I'm afraid I am with Hazel on this image. I really only see color and no form.

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    Thanks Cheryl for the link, I'll check it out.

    Dont worry Nancy, I'm not worried if some don't get it as it is part of a broader work and I think if you saw all the pieces together it would become clearer. But I do have some changes to make on this and as it is the early stages I guess that it will all progress.

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    Lifetime Member Michael Gerald-Yamasaki's Avatar
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    Hilary,

    Greetings. Interesting image that has grown on me with a few looks. I have the feeling that it suffers from low resolution display... highly textured images often don't display well due to the size limits. In any event, the visible eye doesn't work for despair for me, I would use "determined" to describe the look of just the eye. The eye, though is the part of the image that is particularly captivating for me.

    Thanks for posting this image. It's always interesting to me how you work your images and develop themes.

    Cheers,

    -Michael-
    Last edited by Michael Gerald-Yamasaki; 08-18-2012 at 05:19 PM. Reason: typo

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    Hilary, I love and admire your work. With this one though, I wish I could see the entire display to give a little context to what i'm looking at. The tones and textures here are beautiful, but honestly I don't see enough definition to have known what it is without your description. I do hope you continue with this project though, since it sounds wonderful.

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    I have made some changes to this image but not quite ready to repost. I do think it works better as a large image as the shape of the Maasai sitting by the glow of a fire with his head in hand becomes more obvious. I agree that in context it will work better and probably my target audience for work like this may not be prone to hang out on a critiquing forum. But I value everyone's opinion as it helps me be self critical.

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    Having seen your previous works, I have no doubt that you will perfect this one. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

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    You do have a spiritual look to the colors and light but I am unable to see any human form.

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    Bob, it is a Maasai warrior sitting in front of a fire. The very bright semi circle of reflective light in the middle is a necklace which is around his neck. His head is bowed and resting in his left hand (rhs from our view) and his right arm is across his body. His right leg has his shuka (red coat) hanging either side exposing his knee and his left leg is hidden by the flames of the fire. On his left (our right) there are 2 or 3 logs on the ground.

    Not sure who said art was easy, but I guess it has done nothing if not made people try and see the human form.....

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    Hilary, An image like this is either a hit or miss depending on how it is presented. I think with a short story about the Maasai warrior this would be very well received in many circles. Nice OOTB thinking.

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    Denise, you are quite right and I wasn't being totally fair on anyone here as I can't post my artist's statement which will appear with the final collection. As the final piece in the series it will perfectly illustrate the story I am telling, well I think so but I suppose the viewers of the exhibition will be the final deciders of that. Still, art is about challenging ourselves as much as anything and there is no point in standing still with what we do.

    Thanks everyone, and I'm not at all despondent that not everyone 'got it'.

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    Hilary.....After staring at your image for several minutes....I'm sorry but I still do not see the warrior. I will try again later!

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    Bob, don't stress too much. It's like one of those puzzles which is impossible to resolve.

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