tutorial / danny treacy

MA FINE ART: TUTORIAL NOTES FORM


NAME OF TUTOR: danny treacy

DATE: 24.2.11



STUDENT TO FILL IN:
1.What points were discussed during the tutorial?

At first we talked about my difficulties with research and conceptualism. If the work follows the written word, or the written word follows the work, and which role plays the instinct in art, and if research can kill it. I mentioned my problems with the question \"why\" and we discussed the validity of that question. In context with my handbrushpainting, and even more with the puppet head we discussed the role of the \"canny\" and the \"uncanny\" in my pictures. Danny was also interested in the context to my family. on base of the dolls head, we came to my interest for clowns, when I mentioned, that I think that the image of every cute thing also contains it´s opposite, the \"uncanny\" side. Canny told me about the origin of the clowns face, which is a rather horrible story.
Furthermore we talked about my cctv paintings, and Danny adviced me to think about the unity of the series, and to choose places where no cctv is expected.



2. What issues will be thinking further on as a result of this conversation?

I found the advice of Danny concerning the CCTV pictures very useful, so I´m thinking more about the context between each piece, and choosing places. He also said, that he believes, that going on working is the best research one can do, so I will try to find my way through working. I´m also thinking about involving more objects or photos related to my family in my work.



STAFF COMMENTS:

As you have mentioned above I found a strong sense of the ‘Uncanny’ in your work. There is something animated within your imagery of very dead things (the brush, the dolls head, the cctv footage). I think you are using the paint in a very interesting way to achieve this. I think you are right to be thinking about the concept/context which can unite your imagery. I would advise you to look at the work and writings of Mike Kelly, particularly on the uncanny and his collection of objects. I really think your strength is in presenting to the viewer a world that is both innocent, almost childish or naïve, yet there is a strong underlying sense of something not quite right, very good.