David Choe : An inspiration towards my practice

CONTINUING WORK - 2ND YEAR CHELSEA COLLEGE 

This is an artist that has inspired me through my new series of work in my current practice. His name ladies and gentleman is David Chow. He is a Graffiti artist that has made a name for himself after his commission with Facebook in which he took shares instead of cash, because of Facebook's success, his shares are priceless. 

His work however are too priceless. 

Ive always loved colour, in these pieces, the overall use of colour and colour combinations creates nothing but positive energy when viewed upon. Vibrant and energetic. 

He always has a main subject composed into the image, but surrounded with other visual elements 

His style is so free, variation of movements and use of colour interest me

He is the main artist i have been looking at at being inspired by his work i have decided to create some of my own. 

I continued doing what i did from my last piece. Concentrating on the Graffiti/Street art in London Markets and also unnoticed places such as alleyways, corners and remote locations. 

My first piece was "Bricklane Market #1, 2014" 

Personally i think these pieces work really well. There is a strong depth in the image, and colour use is strong and vibrant. Very aesthetically pleasing to the viewers because it catches their attention. 

 These two pieces i made at similar times. They have a similarity through the use of colours and composition of images, and the balance between text and imagery. 

Dan Colen “The Illusion of Life” (Botanic Gardens Edinburgh)

Dan Colen “The Illusion of Life”

At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

This is in fact Colen’s very first solo public exhibition in the UK.

The work in this exhibition are being exhibited for the very first time.

“Dan Colen is a hard artist to pin down. His works, aesthetically, trampolines from one discipline to another” – Newspaper Article

“I spend my daily life trying to distil what art is” – Dan Colen

These stiff static sculptures act as vessels for both containment and concealment, and by delaying the punch line, breathe new life into a tired old joke.

I wasn’t too sure about these pieces that had whoopee cushions, they were all over the room, some made with glass, some plastic, it was rather confusing yet amusing at the same time.

"Chuckles" 2013

(Chuckles bie Clown, Cardboard box reinforced with MDF, glass sphere, blue velvet ribbon, light bulbs)

Above the clown is a glass orb. This orb is a incongruously reflective symbol reappropriated from Johannes Vermeer’s Painting “The Allegory of Faith”

Colen sees Chuckles as a stand in for himself.

It was an interactive piece where people can crawl into the boxes, get to either of the two ends, and at the end there is a switch, pull to turn on the light bulb.

The space was lovely, not much artificial light, mostly natural light which links in really well with the flower paintings. 

“Like a Virgin” 2013

Vintage coke bottle

Motor

This in my opinion was badly displayed.

When I walked in, I had no idea it was there, no sign or labels indicating it was there, I could have very easily kicked it accidentally and broke it.

We spoke to the lady supervising the room and she said that the bottle represents a truth and dare game.

The motor allows the bottle to move occasionally

“The Illusion of life”

2013

Catalogues, Metal Pole

This was the piece of literature that inspired him to create this artwork; this was an inspiration for him.

When I first looked at these, I had several thoughts.

It could be watercolors or food coloring.

Then I had a closer look, there were colored leaves that were lightly stuck on, I say this because as I got closer, I blew onto the painting and little particles of something flew off.

It looked aesthetically pleasing from up close and from a distance.

It hinted an impressionist theme within the image. Like light was bouncing off and through tree leaves, captured the image and painted it on canvas

These pieces were physically delicate and finely detailed.

They are produced by hammering and smashing thousands of artificially dyed flowers (‘Deli’ flowers and ‘Grave’ flowers of the sort commonly sold in New York delicatessens) and roses onto unbleached Belgian Linen.

 Colen “tries to let the flowers make the painting”

“I knew then that this was the place for the first flower show,” – Dan Colen

Dan Colen’s artwork here is infused with magic and joy