and there's no remedy for memory your face is like a melody, it won't leave my head, your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine but I wish I was dead

I came across work by artist Jessica Harrison from Edinburgh, Scotland. Right away I fell in love with everything she's ever done, and by just exploring her website and scrolling through her impressive cover letter, it's clear to see she has established herself as a "successful" artist. At least, what I view as achieved success for an artist.

Her work comes in the categories of: Imprinting, Breaking, Holding, Slicing, Splitting, Looking, Opening, Drawing, and Printing

Her online store features lithographs (pricy!) as well as photographic prints of work from her "Broken" series. It is the Broken series that I am most interested in, it is unlike anything I've seen before.

These pieces have coined the term "Gore-celain dolls" which is precisely what they are. Ceramic ladies revealing their insides, most with smiles on their faces. Some of them even seem to be dancing. What I like about this project is the contrast and juxtaposition that kind of catches you off guard. Like most people might initially see this and think, "What the hell?" but then you have to wonder what would compell someone to create something like this. Jessica describes the humour that appears in her work to as "my way of balancing this feeling of confrontation, aggression, or what people might see as grotesque. Sometimes people are more open to looking at something that appears humorous, and hopefully if they look for a little bit longer then maybe they will find other meanings in the work."

Interestingly enough, they are not hand made from scratch. "They are mass produced ceramics that I select and modify. I usually buy them at auctions or online, always second hand and usually already damaged." I love the recycled aspect of these art pieces and that the pieces are found damaged, because that alone makes up so much of the grotesque element and how Jessica might choose what precisely is "wrong" with each girl. It's just such a genius concept.

All images taken from Jessica Harrison's website

Emily

Charlotte

Amy Jane

Elisabeth

Erin

Fiona

Georgina

Rosemund

Mairi

Close up of Mairi's throat

Ruby

Ruby

Susan

Caroline

Caroline

Helen

floating, bouncing back and one day I am going to grow wings, a chemical reaction, hysterical and useless

Lately I've been really into sculptures and installation art pieces. It might be my new favourite type of art!


I came across artist Jean Shin, who uses everyday objects and transforms them into extraordinary creations- usually quite large in size. "Distinguished by her meticulous, labor-intensive process, and her engagement of community, Shin’s arresting installations reflect individuals’ personal lives as well as collective issues that we face as a society." Some of her materials include: house keys, trophies, old lottery tickets, recycled bottles, pots and pans, used clothing/fabric and more. They are all so incredible, but I nailed it down to my favourite three installations. I think the one reaction I've had to every project I've seen by her, is "that's absolutely brilliant/ why didn't I think of that?" Just completely unlike anything I've ever seen before.


This installation is called Chemical Balance and it was created using prescription bottles from nursing homes, pharmacies and individuals’ medicine cabinets, mirror and epoxy, and fluorescent lights. "Chemical Balance speaks to our culture’s over-consumption of prescription drugs and our bodies’ dependency on these medications."

This installation is called "Umbrellas Stripped Bare" which is pretty straightforward I think. Created using broken umbrella fabric, thread and cable, broken umbrella metal and wooden handles. "The bare ribs and handles form a spiny mass, reminiscent of the chaotic struggle with storms that the umbrellas have endured."

This installation, which might be the coolest in my opinion, is called "Sound Wave". A collection of melted 78 rpm records on wooden armature; in the shape of a tidal wave. "The structure speaks to the inevitable waves of technology that render each successive generation of recordable media obsolete."

These types of projects are relatively new to me but are definitely something I'd like to explore more, seems like something that is right up my alley.

All information and photographs taken from http://www.jeanshin.com/