Research Project Proposal
IAS271 Research Project Proposal: The Physicality of Motherhood in the First Year
Objectives: Aim and Subject
My aim is to explore methodologies of creating artworks that speak to the physical and psychological tensions of motherhood in the first year.
A highly personal project that will document how I interact with my youngest child who is now 10 months old. The hair pulling, fingers in my mouth, biting, and intimacy of breastfeeding, a literal pushing and pulling of the internal psychological, emotional, and spiritual push and pull I experience as a relational internal reality.
This will be practice-led research into not only how I can express these forces in my work for my own sense of self, but how I can invite the viewer into the intimate relationship between mother and child, how they can feel a sense of intimacy with the work, and ultimately understand something of the layered complexities that motherhood brings.
Scope: Method and Materials
Based on research to date I see this as a mini exhibition/installation:
Multiple multi-media collages on transparent paper that can potentially be layered
A video / video montage
A printed risograph catalogue of the works
An online version of the above on BÄhance
Materials
Pencil, charcoal, pens, markers, ink
Paper, tracing paper
Acrylic, oil, enamel paint
Camera / iphone
Risograph printer and inks
Video: Screen, computer, projector
Working Period: Time Frame
As this is an ambitious project in the time frame, I will need to be create a daily discipline of practice, and work quickly. Perhaps fitting for the project, I will use my baby daughterās morning nap as my primary window of studio time (roughly 10 -11.30am) with additional time during her afternoon nap, while she is awake and otherwise occupied, and in the evening once she is asleep.
Daily journaling will be a priority to experiment with tools and materials, to evaluate my works, and to capture further ideas / emotions / revelations that the process brings.
See table below for the timeline
Visual Documentation
Research / Artist Models:
Darker, grittier works. For final presentation I want to create hanging banners of images similar to a couple of the above images. The nature of free hanging paper appeals to me as there is greater interaction with the work by the viewer.
Visual journal mindmaps and notes:
Work In Progress:
Costs:
At this stage I anticipate I will have all materials other than tracing paper.
Officeworks: Reeves Tracing Pad 110gsm 25 Sheets $37 x2 = $74
There may be some printing costs if I decide to go with photographic elements but A3 laser printing should be sufficient. Cost estimate $20
Iām not sure if there will be costs associated with the risograph printing. To enquire with staff.
All of the above should cost less than $150 total.