Overflow
Chalk Pastel on Illustration Board December 2022 Exhibition Text: The intention of this project was to depict various traditional and modern Somali textiles. This can be seen from the six different patterns in the piece. Each pattern has its own significance within Somali culture. The Piece was inspired by many different aspects. Those are the patterns seen such as a Daran; a floor mat, a Hidiyo Dakan; traditional bridal wear, macawis; traditional men's wear, a baati; traditional women's dress; a gabasar; a type of shawl, and a place mat. The piece was also inspired by Cicero DIas and Henri Matisse. |
Inspiration
In addition, I was inspired by a placemat that has natural colors and is hand woven. It is used to place things on top such as hot cooking pots or as decoration. I was also inspired by a “Macawis” which is a garment skirt-like circle piece of fabric worn by men that comes in a lot of designs and colors. The one I choose is a staple in many people's wardrobes. Moving on I also chose a baati pattern that I own myself. A baati is a short-sleeved dress garment worn by women. It comes in many different colors and designs. The last pattern I picked is something that is newer to the clothing of the culture, it is an ending to a shawl called a gabsaar. Usually, the fabric pattern would continue however now there is an end strip on most of them. That is what I choose as my final inspiration for the piece.
|
For this piece, I was inspired by many different pieces. To begin with, when I first saw the piece “Sem Titulo'' by Cicero Dias, I knew that I wanted to do a piece that had something to do with geometric shapes and different colors. Along with the piece “the snail” by Henri Matisse which is a collage. Both pieces gave me an idea of what to do for this project. I really liked how there were different sections and parts so I decided that I'd incorporate that into my own piece.
Moving on, I knew that because my theme is based on my culture. A great way for me to connect the first two inspirations is by adding cultural textiles and patterns to the piece. I also knew that I wanted to add certain ones because they have a huge impact and are seen almost everywhere. The first pattern I was inspired by is called the “Hidyan Dakan '', this orange and red based fabric is traditionally made into a dress for a bride to wear to her wedding. This fabric is a key part of my culture and I wanted to showcase it in this piece. Another pattern that I was inspired by is called a “Daran”, this is floor math that is used to protect the floor usually when people are eating. It comes in many different sizes and colors, the one I chose for this piece is one I thought would really showcase Somali culture and add more to really make it connect to the inspirations. |
Planning
For the planning process for this piece, I began by writing and sketching in my sketchbook to get some ideas down. I started off with a couple of different ideas for this project but ended up doing the idea for patterns because I believe that I could execute that the best and it would also fit the best with my theme. I started by researching and looking for different types of Somali patterns both traditional and modern to add some variety. I found a couple of patterns online and some within my own home. After choosing six patterns I gen by sketching how I wanted the theme to look on the board in my sketchbook, I liked how it looked when I tried for the first time and stuck with that. I plan on having the two large patterns as the two top sections, both traditional and the place math on the left side of the board, and the two” modern” designs in the middle with another traditional on the right side. I also experimented with what colors to use. I wanted the textile patterns to have more traditional-looking colors such as browns and reds, while the modern ones had brighter colors because that is what's seen today. After I was satisfied with my planning I began to move on to the actual process of making the piece.
|
Process
To start the process of the piece, because I wanted to break it into three large sections and then divide each section by the designs, I decided that since the piece was a little longer than eighteen inches I would end it at twelve inches so that I could have an even space to work with. After dividing the pieces into three large chunks with a ruler, I went into the first section and drew six horizontal lines, I then moved on to the second section and actually began using the ruler to draw the pattern, which was just various horizontal lines. For the last section, I drew diagonal lines facing the left side so that there could be four different patterns in that one section. I then began the sketch process for the first and third sections.
I first started to color the bottom section because it had the most parts, I started from left to right. I first began with the first section and used dark green, dark purple, and light tan. I first started with the tan color in the middle and began to make circular motions with the same shape as the circle. I continued to do this with the other colors as well and blend them with my finger. I then moved on to the next section and used a salmon/pink color and blue. I used salmon to color the background and blue to color the circles and blended them with my finger to make it soft and matte. I moved on to the third section where I used a black color as the base and lightly covered the entire section minus the two borders. I then went in and used a dark gray for the curve and a light gray for the half circles. I then went in with a lighter gray color in the borders. For the last section, I started by using a dark maroon color but then realized that the borders between the diamonds would just blend together so I used a dark brown and blended it so that they would differ. I then went in with the maroon color and colored each section and blended it with my finger. I then continued to go in with a reddish-pink color and fill in the white spaces I left for the diamonds. I used white in areas to highlight it and make it look more like the inspiration. I then moved on to the top section.
|
For the first section, I was inspired by a pattern I found on the internet from my research. I tried to imitate the way that it was set up but still did not copy it completely. I used 4 of the 6 patterns that the image had, to do that I used a ruler to draw a light line in the middle of rows with diamonds and began to make each one, then I made the zig-zag line and the checkers square row. After the first section was complete, I moved on to the third section with the various patterns. For the first section of the third part; the one most left. I was inspired by the patterns on a handmade mat that is used as a table placement to put hot pots on or decoration, it is usually made of wicker and hand-weaved. For the second section of the third part, I was inspired by what is traditionally worn by women called a Baati; it is a type of loose short sleeve dress that is typically worn at home but can be worn out as well. They come in many different colors and patterns and the one I drew which consists of circles is one I have myself. The third section of the third part was inspired by the end of a Gabasar, a type of shawl that is worn by women as well. The endings to some modern ones now are usually shiny and wrap around the whole fabric. It consists of black and curvy lines; which I drew. The last section of the third part was inspired by a Macwiis; traditionally worn by men at home or in public it is a piece of fabric that is circular, has no end, and is worn like a skirt. They come in many different colors and patterns, the one I drew that has diamonds and v’s is a traditional one. Once I finished sketching the patterns onto the board, I moved on to the coloring process.
|
I moved to the top section next because I didn't want to mess up either if I did them. I used dark browns, brown, reddish brown, light tan, and a yellowish color in this section. I incorporated some of the patterns from the inspiration. To do the actual coloring, I used sharp lines to make borders between the sections so that color wouldn't transfer along with the tape. However, after an incident with the tape, I stopped using it because it removed some of the board. I used my finger to blend some of the colors to make it matte and then reapplied the color so it came out opaque. I also used a dry brush to brush away chalk from areas where I made a mistake. After finishing that section, I moved on to the final and middle sections. There I used reds, oranges, purples, and greens too.
Experimentation
For this piece, I experimented with different patterns, colors, and textiles. At first, I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I research and looked around for different types of geometric patterns. I found a couple and began to play around with them in my sketchbook. I deed that I liked the one that I used for this project. I also experimented with the different colors and what I should use because there are so many options. I decided that I would use neutral colors for the top part of the piece because it would look more authentic and traditional and brighter colors for the more “modern” parts.
|
Critique
Similarities:
Something that is similar between my piece and the inspirations piece is that there are geometric shapes in both which are the main objection of the pieces. Both pieces focus on lines, shapes, and colors for various reasons. In both the inspirations pieces and mine, there are various layers of color and shapes throughout the piece.
Differences:
A difference between my piece and the first inspirations is that there are muted colors in some areas of my piece, while the inspiration has mostly bright colors. A difference between the two inspiration pieces and mine is that I have more than just squares or rectangles in my piece. Such as continuous lines, circles, diamonds, and zig-zags. All of these connect to my culture because they are embedded in the art and style of many different types of articles of clothing and objects.
Something that is similar between my piece and the inspirations piece is that there are geometric shapes in both which are the main objection of the pieces. Both pieces focus on lines, shapes, and colors for various reasons. In both the inspirations pieces and mine, there are various layers of color and shapes throughout the piece.
Differences:
A difference between my piece and the first inspirations is that there are muted colors in some areas of my piece, while the inspiration has mostly bright colors. A difference between the two inspiration pieces and mine is that I have more than just squares or rectangles in my piece. Such as continuous lines, circles, diamonds, and zig-zags. All of these connect to my culture because they are embedded in the art and style of many different types of articles of clothing and objects.
Reflection
Overall, I am extremely content with the final product of my piece. I was able to find inspiration for the small idea I had, plan it, and carry it out into something much more. Out of all of the sections, I would say that the top would be my favorite because it took the longest and was the most satisfying of them all to watch come together. To me, all of these textiles are ones that I see quite often, so I am very happy that I was able to bring them into one space and poetry them for others to see. One thing I found challenging was the bottom half, and trying not to bring some of the chalk over to another section. I hope that once people view the piece, they are able to infer that it has a significant meaning.
Connecting to the ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
I was able to identify the cause and effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork because I was able to formulate ideas and plans once I choose my inspirations and saw how I could use them in my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the author regarding my inspiration is that they wanted to show a form of abstract art and depict them in their pieces.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization and conclusion I discord about ideas and culture while I research my inspiration is that there are not many sources or artists that does artwork related to my culture. So looking for artwork inspiration is a bit challenging.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspirational research was to look for something that would be able to successfully depict the patterns and styles of textiles I had in mind.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made while reading my inspirational research was that the artists wanted to bring something new and different to the art world.
I was able to identify the cause and effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork because I was able to formulate ideas and plans once I choose my inspirations and saw how I could use them in my piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the author regarding my inspiration is that they wanted to show a form of abstract art and depict them in their pieces.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization and conclusion I discord about ideas and culture while I research my inspiration is that there are not many sources or artists that does artwork related to my culture. So looking for artwork inspiration is a bit challenging.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspirational research was to look for something that would be able to successfully depict the patterns and styles of textiles I had in mind.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made while reading my inspirational research was that the artists wanted to bring something new and different to the art world.
Bibliography
“Sem Título - Cícero Dias - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/sem-t%C3%ADtulo/wAFJP1YBfqGDaQ.
Tate. “'The Snail', Henri Matisse, 1953.” Tate, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/matisse-the-snail-t00540.
Tate. “'The Snail', Henri Matisse, 1953.” Tate, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/matisse-the-snail-t00540.