I came into Context and Narrative (C&N) with some areas I wanted to try to address after the completion of Expressing Your Vision (EYV). These were –
1. Implementation of a more robust and methodical working process
2. Improvement in my ability and confidence when critiquing my own and others work
3. Introducing ideas from other art forms
I believe the work I have created on C&N shows I have achieved good progress in the areas highlighted.
Reflecting specifically on the Learning Outcomes
LO1 – Create images that demonstrate a practical and conceptual understanding of techniques, and the importance of context in creating meaning and narrative.
I have included posts here which are specifically related to Assignment 2 and which show the development of both the idea for the assignment and the initial development of the images. The idea was developed by incorporating learnings from contemporary photographers (Ruibal and Campbell amongst others) and a specific piece of music (The Copper Top by Wells and Moffat). The images combine artefacts relating to my father with memories of him and the text sets a clear narrative linking with the subjects of the images. The textual component of the images is obviously specific to my relationship with the subject but I feel that other viewers would be able to both see that and derive their own meaning. The musical piece gave me a sense of how to pace the text, i.e. how much text to invoice with each image, and opened up the idea of introducing a small element of dark humour which I find is often present at funerals.
LO2 – Demonstrate an emerging critical awareness and an ability to articulate ideas into imagery through appropriate use of technique.
I have included posts here from Assignment 5 showing the development of the images and the finished work. This assignment focussed on my experience working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and the isolation I felt. I drew on the work of Jeff Wall, Gregory Crewdson and Francesca Woodman in the creation of the final image, and I also read The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. The final image is a composite created using several layered images in Photoshop. I used a multiple exposure feature of my camera to record my movement in the frame. I overexposed the image to create the white box effect and cut in an image to the window to change the perspective and make the exterior of the room appear further away. I think this image is my strongest work on this course and encapsulates perfectly how I have felt.
LO3 – Conduct research, development and production of photographic work in response to the themes explored in this unit and show a developing understanding of contemporary imagery in relation to historical practice and theory.
I fell that all of the work I have done for Context and Narrative has been supported by good research. I have included here my submission for Assignment 2 as I feel it is a good example of this. I have also included some of the research I carried out for Assignment 5 which looked at contemporary representations of mental health issues in photography as well as revisiting some of the work of Francesca Woodman. My final selection is a piece reflecting on two zoom talks which I attended and which I felt threw up some interesting links into the coursework, but also highlighted the issues around publicising work in the age of the internet and social media. I feel these show that my understanding of how contemporary imagery grows out of historical practice while having to exist in a time where how, and where, we see imagery has completely changed.
LO4 – Show an ability to critique your own imagery and reflect upon your learning experience, and developing sophistication of your assessment of the work of other practitioners.
I have included posts here from several areas of the assignments and coursework. I found Assignment 3 the most difficult and this showed in the final submission. I felt the central idea was a strong one but I was never able to develop it to a point where I was happy with it. My reflections at the time show my awareness of these issues. As part of my research during the coursework I looked at the work of Susan Meiselas. I was interested in the process Meiselas followed and the fact that she started her Carnival Strippers project with a certain viewpoint which changed over the course of the project. Her process highlighted to me that there is a significant amount of work involved in developing these projects out with the actual photography. I feel my post on the work of Brotherus, Carucci and Wearing shows I am becoming more confident about having an opinion on the work of other artists – something which I have found very difficult to do in the past.
Context and Narrative 