Contextual Research
CHROMATA BY MICHAEL BROMLEY
“A generative art tool with JavaScript and HTML canvas. Turn any image into a unique, animated artwork. Red, green and blue path finders are seeded on a canvas and independently trace their own path through the image, reading the colour data of each pixel and altering their course based on a set of configurable rules. Canvas compositing is used to blend the colours together into the final image.”
The Chromata tool has been an integral part to creating this body of work. Without this software I wouldn’t have been able to create the algorithmic art that I have. Although not much information has been released of Michael Bromley’s own work, this tool has been invaluable to many artists such as me. As someone who has struggled with coding in general, I do feel this is an easy beginners generative tool to produce a large body of work.
VIRGINIE SCHROEDER
Although Schroeder creates her work in a physical medium, I appreciate her use of negative space to produce portraits. The gaps in the lines of acrylic are quite effective, and its something I want to implement in my own work. I think if this was to work, I would have to use a wider gap in the pathfinders, leaving a space for the plot points to separate. Although I’m not doing portraits, the feel of her work is honest, with the composition of the sitter aiding to that honesty. The vibrant colour is very similar to the colour pallet I have been using in Chromata.
TIMELESS AUDREY HEPBURN, Acrylic on Canvas, Not Dated.
ITHE MOST INCREDIBLE TALENT FRIDA KAHLO, Acrylic on Canvas, Not Dated
PURPLE RAIN PRINCE, Acrylic on Canvas, Not Dated
RICHARD BRANDÃO
Again, Richard Brandão uses acrylic medium on paper, but continues with negative space as a core aspect of his works. In monochromatic colour value, the pieces are, close up, quite difficult to view. However, from afar it is clear that they are portraits. A clever trick that is very effective. This is absolutely something I would like to consider to use in my work.
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As I've come to realise, this perspective can be seen in my own pieces. Close up, they look like circles, lines and dots. Yet it is not until a certain distance can you finally see a figure emerging from the work. This subtly allows it to take up the space that it does. It's not often that nude, and works depicting the naked body, are allowed to occupy a very public, suburban area. The beauty of this is that my pieces can exist on a BT box, occupy a communal setting and be subtle in their subject matter and context. This tool as seen in Brandao's work extremely clever, it allows the subvert to be overt.
JANUSZ JUREK
I adore Jurek’s work. It strikes that right balance between being just enough to show the figure/limbs and still abstract enough that its interesting. Jurek also creates his work via digital media and its amazing that he’s able to create such powerful images via a digital channel. Again, negative space is a core theme here, as well using a monochromatic colour pallet. The wirey type feel of the marks that make up the figures allude to the way in which these works were made. I also feel that the silver tone of the limbs against the stark black background, does make for an aesthetically pleasing series.