Final year project
The Nursery [Read more]
Motherboard - proposed exhibition 'The Nursery', 2020
(Due to COVID-19 our physical degree show was cancelled and moved online) This is a collection of images which showcase the artworks I would have displayed in my final degree show space.
The central figure of the proposed exhibition space is 'Motherboard'.
Living in an age of profound technological progress, I was prompted to consider how much involvement technology, and specifically the Internet, had in my upbringing.
My plans for Motherboard were strongly shaped by my interactions with, and dependence
on the Internet from a very young age.
Motherboard creates and alters each figure – analogous to how search engines and technologies influence the individual. This is why the figure of Motherboard is so central to the exhibition and the narratives presented around it.
Theories on the 'female grotesque' and 'monsters as metaphors' aided the creation of the visual aspects and narrative surrounding the figure.
As the final pieces were physical and created separately I had to develop a virtual space (that was a replica of the space I originally planned to exhibit in) where the artworks could be curated. As a result, I developed a space using Floorplanner and Photoshop which was appropriate for the display of my final pieces.
Anatomy of motherboard, 2020
'Anatomy of Motherboard' was created to be painted as a mural beside the figure of Motherboard. The image illustrates the production and impact of information on the formation of the individual. In this instance we see the information from Motherboards head filter into the digestive system where the 'Bois' are created.
I have chosen the following colour scheme as the mural was meant to be painted using UV paint.
Intestines, 2019
'Intestine' was created as part of the large installation figure 'Motherboard'. As previously mentioned I completed all of the components for 'Motherboard' separately and then combined them using Photoshop.
The digestive system and the act of consumption play a key role in a lot of my work (e.g Feast 2, Motherboard.) The fixation on digestion is largely motivated by personal experience.
However, when the ‘Intestine’ is combined with the narrative of ‘Motherboard’ the intestine acts as a point of transformation. As ‘Motherboard’ morphs and creates the ‘Bois’ within her intestines and passes them through into our reality.
Materials: Fabric, hollow fibre, thread, fabric dye.
Measurements: Height:115cm Width:105cm Depth:20cm
Hands, 2019
Paper-mache hands created for a large installation figure titled 'Motherboard'.
Different parts of Motherboard have a different purpose within the larger narrative, in this instance the Hands, which would be placed cupped together, would hold the pile of Bois once exhibited - suggesting that the larger figure is caring and protective.
Materials: paper-mache, chickenwire, household and acrylic paint.
Measurements: Left hand- Height: 108cm Width : 86cm Depth: 28cm
Right hand- Height: 108cm Width: 90cm Depth: 30cm
Feast 2, 2020
Feast 2 is an interactive painting. When spun the viewer can follow the animation around to reveal the green figure consuming the other in a loop.
I finished painting Feast in semester 1, however I was dissatisfied with the outcome as when spun the painting would blur (Feast 1 and other works are available to view in my online portfolio and Instagram).
I decided to critically reflect, research, and refine the piece into Feast 2, which was more technically successful than its predecessor. Now when the painting was spun, the painted animation was more identifiable, continuous and dizzying.
Piggy, 2019
‘Piggy’ is an interactive animated toy which is activated by pressing a button on its bottom. Combined, its anthropomorphic body, the presence of a voice, and its manner of movement all create a strong sense of the uncanny. The placement of the button and the character’s response when activated aim to comment on human excess and sexuality.
The exaggerated noise, movement, and colour of ‘Piggy’ aim to evoke a happy response from the viewer through its ridiculous nature.
Materials: Plastic armature, movement mechanism and speaker, polymer clay, faux fur, felt and glass beads.
Measurements: L: 35cm H: 25cm
Vanity, 2020
Hypermodernity is a term used to describe the current state of our society. A hypermodern society is a society characterised by a culture of hyper consumption, hyper narcissism ... and paradoxes (Charles, 2005; Lipovetsky, 2005).
Throughout this academic year I have focused on researching and understanding hypermodernity and the current state of our society.
This understanding gave me the confidence to explore and depict the more selfish individual in works such as Motherboard, Feast 2 and Vanity. (Although Motherboard is not directly a depiction of the individual, but instead a depiction of the Internet/search engine that encourages the hypermodern individualistic behaviour).
Materials: faux fur, felt, hollow fibre, polymer clay, acrylic paint, glaze.
Measurements: Height:16cm Length:45cm Width:12cm
Pile of bois, 2019 - 2020
Figures titled Bois (and relevant adaptations: Vanity, Piggy) were created as genderless witty impressions of the everyday human beings. Depicting the more monstrous yet fascinating parts of ourselves that we often hide.
The first trio of dolls titled 'Bois' were created in 2018 and ever since I have worked on lore and narratives surrounding these figures.
In 2019- 2020 I started a year long project where I created at least one 'Boi' doll a day. Part of development for the piece 'Motherboard' and a way to stay productive daily.
Materials: Felt, thread, plaster, acrylic paint.
Size varies – (on average) Height: 10cm Width: 6cm Depth: 3cm
Kerolaina Linkevica
I am a multi-disciplinary artist currently exploring themes of consumerism, reality and gender in the context of the contemporary Western society.
I am passionate about creating artwork that relates and attracts the audience through its context and appearance. Thus my artwork is often playful, using a combination of saturated colours and soft materials to encourage curiosity. Once the audience is attracted to inspect the work closely, I aim to tackle more unpleasant themes that comment on the human experience through the grotesque details of the work.
By creating multi-disciplinary work ranging from animation to installations, I have had to opportunity to work with a range of media. As a result, I am proficient in software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Dragonframe etc. As well as traditional media, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, sewing, printmaking etc.
I am an avid learner and creator of a diverse range of artworks. I enjoy digging through creative and technical challenges with the goal to develop ideas into successful outcomes. I hope to further my career in an environment where I am able to utilise my creative skills in order to help and benefit others.
Final year project
The Nursery
Awards
During my degree some of my biggest achievements were exhibiting in a number of group shows. By exhibiting my work in a few group shows and co-curating two of them I gained significant understanding of art handling, gallery management and collaboration. Furthermore, during my university degree my area of research (specifically in 2019 and 2020) was on curatorial practice, which has provided me with additional contextual and technical knowledge that is most beneficial in a gallery setting.
Exhibition experience:
'20 ‘Visual Impact’, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry
'20 ‘Welcome Matt Exhibition, Loughborough University (Exhibiting and co-curating)
'19 ‘Girls, Girls, Girls exhibition’, Prism Gallery, Blackburn
'19 ‘Something not nothing’, Martin Hall Gallery, Loughborough University (Exhibiting and assisting)
'19 ‘Welcome Matt Exhibition, Loughborough University (Exhibiting and co-curating)
Experience
My freelance work experience includes: Painting a mural for the Charnwood Police station offices, as well as two outdoor murals painted at the Golden Fleece Bistro, Loughborough.
I have also developed graphic t-shirt designs for a musical artist Bobbing (USA) in 2019. And painted outdoor blackboards for Fiume Restaurant (Wolverhampton,2017) Griffin Bar (Loughborough,2018) and Golden Fleece Bistro (2019).
As a result of my freelance work experience I have gained a clear understanding on how to work with a high degree of autonomy. Refining and completing artwork according to client’s specifications, with utmost quality and care.
My most challenging commission was the larger mural created for the Golden Bar Bistro - due to its size (9 meters in length x 4 meters height). As this was my first mural I made sure to research every aspect of the process, making sure I made the right decisions for the client and myself throughout the commission.
The overall experience from the opportunity to working on such a large project to seeing the happy reactions from the public and the clients was incredibly exciting and rewarding.
Additional work experience includes 4+ years working front of house in the food service industry. Through my previous work experience in fast-paced restaurants and cafes I believe I have developed strong communication and customer orientated skills.