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The Beautiful PeoplePROJECT STATEMENT
THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE - PROJECT STATEMENT The Beautiful People as I have defined them, are the only true alternative. As each individual draws from a variety of sub-cultures they ultimately fit
awkwardly within each of these classifications. With what would be considered the alternative now being consumed by the mainstream, it is sometimes
unclear as to where their position in society is. The Beautiful People instead, are cultural pioneers, fighting off attempts to compartmentalise their
individualism, and dissolving the notion of these categories or subcultures.
Though it is essentially the Rock groups whose image spearheads these subcultures, I have found in these individuals who take their concepts onboard, putting them into practice within everyday society, a vitality that permeates every aspect of their character. Their take on the original goes way beyond imitation, and in this instance it is these Beautiful People who find themselves ideally positioned to become a reaction to the society with which they interact. As an artist I have found their attitude so intoxicating, that a series of works exploring an earlier self has metamorphosed into portraits that attempt to document these Beautiful People. This has lead to a desire to distance myself from within each of my portraits. I have become increasingly uncomfortable with the presence of the artist's hand in the work and seek a greater objectivity. The latest works in the series are in collaboration with the artists who feature in my portraits. Though still within the education system, or recently graduated, these artists are still in the process of developing their work. By incorporating their artwork to the surface of the painting, the spontaneity of their initial rush of ideas will be apparent, contriving the rawness and passion of their work within the structure of the portrait, and drawing from a pool of talent that would otherwise remain untapped until reaching maturity. As these portraits have developed, I have continually attempted to recreate the intensity of the visual information that I am confronted with on entering each of the sitter's personal spaces. The vivid colours of fluorescent and vibrant hues enforce this, countering the darker undertones of the subject matter. Surrounded by their possessions in a space where normally a select few would have access, my aim is to capture moments of vulnerability in which the sitters are truly themselves. By splitting the canvases I have attempted to gain a panoramic view of the space, which enables me to exhibit the paintings around corners. The photogenic aspect of my technique allows me to play with the viewers notions of reality, drawing them into certain details within the work. By creating this three-dimensional environment, the viewer is able to literally step inside the painting and relate to the personalities within these portraits. Ranging from their early teens to mid twenties and covering a variety of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, the image of these Beautiful People contrasts the socially acceptable norm, but it is not necessarily contrived to make this statement. It is not within them to be conformists, and they are a reflection of what they feel is their identity. Over the period of producing The Beautiful People, it has become apparent that other tendencies also connect these individuals. I have repeatedly portrayed teenagers who suffer from low self-esteem and depression that is expressed through self-harm, suicide attempts, or anti-social behaviour. They have related stories to me of insensitivity and contempt from a society who is condescending, unsympathetic and even dismissive of their condition. To focus on these Beautiful People who are at the very heart of this Youth Culture not only raises the awareness of these issues, but also hopefully allows us a greater understanding of them. Each portrait contains a specific individual with their own story or psychosis. If, as in some portraits, these issues are more apparent, this is the choice of the sitter and reflects how they wish to present themselves. The term The Beautiful People is in no way meant to categorise, but as a way to draw parallels between the group of young people I have portrayed. It is essentially their individualism that links them. In the language of music they not only find an escape from the pressures of contemporary expectation, but role models to create their identity and generate their art. |
