Giacomo
My body of work explores the passage of life, focusing on organic decay, deterioration and the inevitability of death. I chose to explore this because I find that decay, ageing and deterioration shouldn’t be seen as something negative but also poetic and beautiful. Initially, my work was based around urban movement in “Parisian Shadows”, but expanded to organic life stages. I aimed to provoke thought and shift perceptions on aging and deterioration. Nowadays, change and aging are often perceived as undesirable, something that is resisted or revered rather than accepted; through my work I aim to change this perspective.
The first piece of this collection “Parisian Shadows” was a concertina drawing that was based around observing Parisians working. I took inspiration from Karen Stamper’s concertina techniques and her study of urban life. I used multiple different mediums such as tape, ink splatters, magazine paper cutouts and fine line pen drawings as a background for my drawings. The turning point of the conceptual idea was during my charcoal drawing “desiccated beauty”, depicting fragile rose on the verge of crumbling. This is when I started to look at decay, the transient nature of beauty and death. The use of blending and different shades of gray, add depth, emphasizing its fading beauty. During this change of my conceptual idea behind my artworks, Dieter Roth’s investigation of decay and perishable materials as well as Damien Hirst’s sculptures depicting the inevitability of death and deterioration heavily influenced my thinking. Both of the artists use organic elements. For example, Dieter uses roots and Hirst uses sharks and other animals. I took inspiration from this and started depicting flowers, trees and leaves in order to connect to my general idea.
My three pieces that are based around organic decay, such as trees, flowers and leaves are Desiccated beauty, Death and the maiden and The duality of decay and prosperity. I use plaster for bas-relief, charcoal and muted colors. I use a subdued color palette to take some potential attention away from bright colors that pop out in order to make my viewers focus on the meaning behind my work. These pieces have a more direct representation of decay when compared to others I developed later on exposing their fragile and temporary existence.
The other portion of my exhibition that developed shifts from depicting organic decay to a more abstract architectural deterioration, exploring the nostalgic beauty of ruins. These pieces are Nature’s reclamation, Fading facade, Echoes of stone and The weight of time. I decided to take inspiration from my cultural background and looked at Italian architecture, such as Venetian palaces and the tower of Pisa, evoking nostalgia and the slow crumbling of historic sites. Additionally with inspiration from artists such as Ian Murphy and John Piper, I broadened my use of materials, experimenting with various inks, spray paint and bleach; while still using similar materials from my older pieces such as charcoal, gesso and art graff.
The layout for my exhibition is 4 panels shaped in a zigzag pattern facing the entry of the exhibition. I have decided to put my most recent pieces on architectural decay facing the viewer as they walk in. Once the viewer gets closer they are able to see my pieces on natural decay on the other panels, making clear that the theme that I am exploring is decay. My goal for this body of work is to impact an audience and change the way they think about decay and deterioration. The eventual decay of everything in life shouldn't just create a feeling of sadness, or anxiety within the viewer but to also make the viewer think about the beauty. Encouraging the viewer to see decomposition and the passage of time not as a decline but as an evolution, that has its own depth, history and poetic essence. For example, cities like Venice that I have depicted in my works wouldn’t be as interesting and beautiful if it looked pristine and untouched by the passage of time. I had the goal to make my viewers start to appreciate these taboo topics and perceive them as an inevitable peaceful and beautiful process that all organic organisms naturally live through.
Desiccated Beauty (January 2024)
Charcoal and white pastel on paper
50 x 60 cm
Desiccated beauty is a charcoal drawing that accentuates the dark tones and the shadows of a dried out rose. Beyond mere representation, the piece serves as a meditation on the transient nature of beauty, reminding viewers to find meaning and beauty even in moments of decay and change.The use of blending and different shades of grey, add depth, complexity and richness. Dieter Roth's fascination with decay of perishable materials and intentional disintegration deeply influenced my creation.
The duality of decay and prosperity (May 2024)
Paint and plaster on wood
90 x 65 cm
The duality of decay and prosperity is a decaying tree made out of plaster on top of a wooden base. I attempted to depict the complex interplay between growth and deterioration within the natural world. On one side of the piece the tree is thriving but as the viewer looks to the left, they are met with a stark contrast of a dying tree with clouds in the background to elevate this grim atmosphere. I sought to incorporate Francisco Goya, Zhang Huan’s interpretation of decay from their own pieces.
Asymmetrical Radiance (December, 2023)
Ceramic, oxides and glaze
Smaller headlight: 16 x 9 x 5 cm
Bigger headlight: 24 x 10 x 7 cm
Asymmetrical Radiance is a ceramic sculpture that creates a sense of balance and contrast within the artistic narrative. The sculpture is inspired by shapes in the urban environment and my Behind the Wheel painting. The use of fluctuating asymmetry, similar to Fritsch's technique, introduces nuanced variations that disrupt perfect symmetry, contributing to a dynamic and visually compelling composition. The balance of organic shapes and geometric circular shapes also contribute to this.
