Life Drawing I: LANDSCAPE OF CONTEMPORARY FIGURATION (papers due Tuesday 4/1, final projects due Tuesday 4/15)

LANDSCAPE OF CONTEMPORARY FIGURATION

In this assignment we will explore contributions to contemporary figurative work. You will choose a name of a contemporary contributor to figuration. Many of these artists have both figurative and non-figurative works. Briefly research all contributors:

Lucian Freud

Francis Bacon
Allison Schulnik

Mary Reid Kelley

Trenton Doyle Hancock

Jenny Seville

John Baldessari

Gerhard Richter

Kerry James Marshall

Dana Schutz

Neo Rauch

Marlene Dumas

Elizabeth Peyton

Luc Tuymans

Wengechi Mutu

Peter Doig

Alex Katz

Tim Eitel

After you pick your contributor, then you must research their work. The Art Library at Art Building West is a great resource. Locate images of some of their figurative work using either the library or credible online resources. (Some of them work in ways other than figuration, it is your job to determine this in your research). Additionally, several of these artists have Art21 segments on PBS (these can be found on www.pbs.org/art21/).

Proceed to write a one page paper explaining what you have gathered on how your artist has contributed to the contemporary context of figuration. You can explain their content, style, methods, etc.

Then choose one particular figurative piece of theirs to work from. Re-stage the context of the piece to the best of your ability (have a friend take a photo, take a photo using your friends, etc.) and make an interpretation of the piece. Emulate their style of mark-making, style, composition, abstraction, etc. The piece should be at least one 30"x22" image, however, you are also permitted to make several small drawings.

Remember that color might be a useful element, but perhaps your piece would be best interpreted in charcoal. If you have any questions on approach, please ask me.

On Tuesday, April 1st your one page write-up will be due along with the piece you chose. Bring these materials to class to present to me.

On Tuesday, April 15th the final project will be due.

John Baldessari