Social Commentary via works of art is way for an artist to broadcast a concept, a problem, a controversy, and etc. to the world. It creates conversation to convict, inspire, and change. Art is a form of expression, adding meaning to what can easily become a mundane cycle of life. Powerful pieces make you step back and examine your life and the world you live in.
The message I want to broadcast through my social commentary piece is the power of individual thinking. We live in a very traditional world. What we know, we learn from what our parents, teachers, and society tell us. It's the human social contract. We blindly accept what is there before us, without question. But what is truly needed is a world where each individual thinks for themselves. People who don't adopt a belief or political ideology simply because it is was is taught or accepted, but because they test and approve that it is the best. Everyone has a mouth of opinions and feels free to express them, but many lack eyes that see what is needed, and to decide for themselves what they believe.
Sketches:
I had a looott of ideas for this project, but I didn't actually know which one I wanted to do. I started out with a cylinder form, which represented the uniformity of society, and an idea to draw people with huge mouths, but no eyes, all over the form.
I was also into this idea of HOPE. People just need hope and something true to hold onto.
Cultural versus Political distinctions was also a big grimace for me. For example, in Africa there are over 3,000 distinct ethnic groups and over 2,000 languages, but there are only 54 political states. SO incredible. Thanks Europe.
But anyway, I keep coming back to the theme of "think for yourself." It's a very simple message, and if people actually did it, it would revolutionize our world.
I was also into this idea of HOPE. People just need hope and something true to hold onto.
Cultural versus Political distinctions was also a big grimace for me. For example, in Africa there are over 3,000 distinct ethnic groups and over 2,000 languages, but there are only 54 political states. SO incredible. Thanks Europe.
But anyway, I keep coming back to the theme of "think for yourself." It's a very simple message, and if people actually did it, it would revolutionize our world.
Sadly, I forgot to take pictures of the bisque form and design before I glazed it! Oops :)
Soon to be glazed:
Results!
Overall, I think my piece has a very simple message--one people often forget about. Everyone is just living day to day, thinking about the daily grind--not thinking about what is important, what needs to change. Thinking for yourself is hard, though. Like in the pottery, it's difficult to discern at first. It's almost if someone needs to tell you that it says, "think for yourself," or you may not see it at all.
About the form though: I waited a little too long to trim, so it's heavier than what I wanted. But it does have good height. I used underglaze for the detail and then glaze for the lines at the bottom. The glazed lines looked a little heavy compared to the rest of the pot.
About the form though: I waited a little too long to trim, so it's heavier than what I wanted. But it does have good height. I used underglaze for the detail and then glaze for the lines at the bottom. The glazed lines looked a little heavy compared to the rest of the pot.