OCA drawing 1.1

Curate an imaginary exhibition which brings together between 8 – 12 artworks. Try to select artworks that are relevant to your Personal Project Proposal and your Critical Review.
Your own work could also feature in this exhibition, this is an opportunity to explore the context of your own work which other practitioners (art and beyond) do you share ideas / affinity with? 

How much of our lives is now lived through a virtual screen?  We sit in front of these rectangles in an attempt to meet all our needs.  Practicality, necessity, desire, sanctuary, advise, companionship, knowledge.
It is bracing to know that there is no going back now, not without an apocalyptic event, we are locked into this regime.

Art has provided me with a sense of peace concerning this theory.  The artists in the exhibition do not fear or renounce the technological revolutions.  They see a blend of worlds and elements.   Using an artistic practice that doesn’t surrender to one, but acts as a bridge between the 2.

This is an eclectic gathering of work, chosen for it’s vibrancy, fusion of artificial and natural mediums and expressions.  A constant weaving between acknowledging our responsibilities, our positioning, and unstoppable creativity.  Against our alliance with synthetic practices.
I have aimed at grouping the work to create a subconscious experience of sensations.  So the viewers can absorb the work.  Hopefully inspiring the senses but also bringing optimism.  Proving that there is a way to coexist with technology, beyond accepting it for the practical benefits we experience (as I feel that is a surrender rather than an accord).  To release fear and loathing, and allow community and creativity to pioneer.

REFLECTION

It was easy to find images and artists to represent my aim for this project.  I have been considering this theory for sometime.  Previously wrestling with the 2 polar opposite worlds, and never finding a way to actualise my feelings.  So subconsciously I sort out art and artists throughout the course that could inform and inspire my personal rapport.
It was challenging to set aside a dogmatic response to the virtual world.  I had to open my mind to the creativity and positivity those elements could bring to art.  But I found them in abundance and it has helped me to centre not just my own practice but personal theories too.

3 Pieces that didn’t make it were ‘Metal Mandala (On Fire)’ and an ‘Unknown 1’ painting by Lisa Solberg. And ‘Cave Painting II’ by Noel Skrzypczak. 

‘Metal Mandala’ was chosen over ‘Uprising’ , because I felt like ‘Metal Mandala’, although very powerful could be mistaken for projecting a negative vibe….the burning of an effigy in relation to the destruction of history and beliefs.  The burning of ‘Uprising’ had much more holistic connotations, adhering to this duality that I was trying to express.  To not fear polarities – polarity here being creation and destruction.
The ‘Unknown 1’ painting by Lisa Solberg, was replaced with ‘Unknown 2’. As ‘Unknown 1’ seemed a little over animated for this exhibition.  
And Skrzypczak’s mural would still be a great addition to the rest of the work shown, but as I had reached my quota I had to make a choice what to edit out, and I felt that my ‘Extending Beyond Takesada 2‘, Rossin’s ‘Im My Loving Memory‘, and the paintings by Ragna Bley, all ticked similar boxes. They had extra elements within them that linked all the pieces in the exhibition together.

I have provided a text to go alongside the exhibit. It is a series of extracts / words and short phrases from my own notes. Writing that I have produced alongside pieces I have created in the last year. I did not feel it was relevant to show the complete texts. Adding these abstracted quotations expanded the intention of blending all the evident variations. Like flashes of intense memory attaching themselves to the work.

ALKAHEST

Rich in colour.
All parts layered, scratched in.
An open work of marks.
Colours all built around each other.
Eventually feel nothing.
Manipulate and transform.
Release tension, self regulate.
More – large scale, or small items?
It was like it all belonged to another time.
Strangely soothing.
From up there everything seemed so 2D.
Hurry up.  Get going.
Out of control now.
I’m more likely to stop.
Or pay attention.
(Flockhart, K)

List of Images

Cover Image Flockhart, K. (2024) Extending Beyond Takesada 2. [Mixed media. Photo edited with Hipstamatic] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.1 Solberg, L. (2009) Unknown 1 [Paint on canvas] At:https://www.booooooom.com/2009/11/23/artist-painter-lisa-solberg/(Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.2 Solberg, L. (2025) Metal Mandala (On Fire). [Aluminium and raffia] At:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiUdgfST86E (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.3 Skrzypczak, N. Cave Painting II. At:https://www.nskzak.com/work-1#/cave-painting-ii/ (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.4 Rossin, R. (2021) Im My Loving Memory. [Plexiglass and AR Sculptures] At:https://rhizome.org/events/world-on-a-wire-rachel-rossin-artist-talk/(Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.5 Bley, R. (2019) Untitled. At:https://ragnabley.com (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.6 O’Bryan, J. (2011) Rock, Paper, Breath [Graphite on paper] At:https://www.jillobryan.com/exhibitions/-rock–paper–breath—gallery-joe–philadelphia/view/2525865/1/2525870 (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.7 Flockhart, K. (2024) Hijack. [Mixed media, photo edited with Hipstamatic] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.8 Flockhart, K (2025) Untitled. [Spray paint and posca. Photo edited with Hipstamatic pen on paper] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.9 Flockhart, K. (2024) Extending Beyond Takesada 2. [Mixed media] In possession of: The author: Volleges.

Fig.10 Huanca, D. (2020) Installation: Wet Slit. At:https://www.ruaminx.com/wet-slit (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.11 Reau, F. (2022) Vue de l’exposition Du Temps sois la mesure. [Mixed media] At:https://lessentiart.fr/du-temps-sois-la-mesure-une-reflexion-poetique-de-francois-reau-drawing-lab/ (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.12 Bley, R (2016) Two Chord Wake. [Paint on canvas] At:https://artviewer.org/ragna-bley-at-hester/ (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.13 Bley, R (2016) Click and Talk. [Paint on canvas] At:https://artviewer.org/ragna-bley-at-hester/ (Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.14 Solberg, L. (2009) Unknown 2 [Paint on canvas] At:https://www.booooooom.com/2009/11/23/artist-painter-lisa-solberg/(Accessed 10.08.2025).

Fig.15 Solberg, L. (2019) Uprising, Burn Video.At:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsLhPbFf4Ek (Accessed 10.08.2025).