|
The author of this thesis grew up in a rural farming family. From childhood, she was influenced by the life of her elders, who worked in the cultivation of bamboo agriculture. Often, before it was even light outside, they would welcome the day and begin their work. To look back upon their lives up to this day is an important part of the author recollecting her childhood memories. These memories also bring up emotions that are hard to forget. The author is currently living and studying away from her hometown, and is being pulled away by distance. It is also difficult to return to the physical time and place of her childhood. However, the memories of the love and affection of family remain endless, and in the twisting and complicated road of life, become a source of support and encouragement. This creative treatise uses the author's family as the subject of her artwork. It explores the many facets of memory, and how this transforms into reality. It uses photography as an aid to capture and retain the moments of familial love, in order to jog the memory. It also uses painting to explore the memories of the images in the mind and to record the feelings between family members. It depicts these recollections onto canvas, and shows the author's true feelings and reflections towards these memories. This thesis is structurally split into five different chapters. The first chapter is the background and motivations behind the artwork. Its basis tells of the author's initial ideas and reasons for embarking upon this series. It unfolds with the author's recording and collecting of family memories. The second chapter talks about the author’s collation of materials. It raises the idea of the distinct characteristics and patterns of memories. It tries to understand how familial memories are manifested and the way in which they move the soul. It also provides studies on how other related artists achieve the method of using collaging memories and image viewpoint to discuss and demonstrate the affection between family members. Additionally, it talks about how to portray the rustic life of physical toil as "commonplace" and to reflect upon the meaning of one's own life. The third chapter discusses the form and the techniques behind the artwork. Through putting theories into practice and research, it seeks to orientate itself and to find a direction. At the same time, it delves into the greater possibilities of oil painting. The fourth chapter is an individual analysis of the artwork. The work is split into three series in order to comment and explain its content and viewpoint. It uses the artwork as a vehicle to convey the emotional transformation that familial memories cause for the author. Finally, the last chapter summarizes and concludes the whole thesis.
|