Meghan-Robbins-education: September 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Studio progress, 3


Collaboration with Sarah Sharp; my ink drawing on handmade paper made by Sarah Sharp

Inspiration on the wall of my studio

(Left to right)
A charcoal drawing of Troy Davis
My 'Not In My Name' armband from the September 21 Vigil for Troy Davis
(Top row)
Amnesty International candle postcard
Two Prometheus Bound advertisements
Rent advertisement
Studio contract
(Bottom row)
Stand With Aung San Suu Kyi flier
Death Penalty Fact Sheet
Flier for Majid Tavakoli, student activist from Iran

Studio Progress, 2

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Studio progress, 1

For Phase One, I want to experiment with different applications of paint and painting on a variety of surfaces. What painting techniques can I explore? What materials can I incorporate into my painting? How does paint react to different surfaces and textures? I want to explore texture in painting.

This week, I made two paintings from the same photograph from Shanghai. For the first painting, I tried to focus on not over-working brush strokes. I tried to make one mark and move onto another. I often overwork paintings, and this is something that I was to change. The second is a gesture painting on a wet background.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Inspiration

I am inspired by human rights cases; specifically involving freedom of expression and individuals at risk. I want to help tell their stories. I also want to find a way to share the stories of the released and survivors of human rights topics. I have met a few former Prisoners of Conscience and their stories are so powerful and motivating. Hearing their stories confirms that working on these cases can have positive results; working with Amnesty International can change what is happening to these people.

One of the most inspiring and motivating experiences I have had was attending the 2010 Amnesty International Northeast Regional Conference. On this day I found out Aung San Suu Kyi had been released from house arrest in Burma. I also meet Tissa, a recently released Prisoner of Conscience and Sri Lankan journalist. These are two cases I spent a lot of time with, both in my art and with Amnesty actions. I drew a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi with quotes from her speeches. The text over her face was to help teach the viewer about who she is and what she works for in Burma. I also made work representing Tissa’s case. This piece was two paintings that contrasted forms of expression in Sri Lankan and the US. One painting shows Tissa behind bars in detention. The other is of several activists holding posters. This side was inspired by photos I took on a previous Get on the Bus for Human Rights event that I participated with in New York City.

Studio visit, detail

Letters to Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Office of the Head of the Judiciary in Iran, and Shanghai Bureau of Public Security; pen on handmade paper

The letter to Myanmar (Burma) called for the release of Su Su Nway, a labor activist and prisoner of conscience; Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released on November 2010; and the other many other political prisoners unjustly detained in Myanmar. The letter to Iran calls for the release of a student activist, Majid Tavakkoli. He was sentenced for eights years in prison for speaking at a university rally in Tehran on National Student Day. The letter to Shanghai, China is calling to release Mao Hengfeng, a human rights defender, who was detained and working in a re-education through labor camp. Mao Hengfeng was unexpectedly released in July 2011. She had suffered from a severe beating and released barely unconscious in a wheelchair.

A Portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi; pen on paper
I drew a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi with quotes from her speeches. The text over her face is used to help teach the viewer about who she is and what she works for in Burma.

Five O'clock Tea; oil on canvas
In response to Mary Cassett's 'Five O'clock Tea"

Paper Countries; Thai Kozo, Japanese Kozo, and Philippine Gampi, Cotton

The borders of each country are represented in cut paper made from pulp from that country.

Paper Masks; Cotton, Abaca

Self Portrait; charcoal on paper

Tim McGraw; acrylic on canvas

Tissa and the Contrast of Expression; acrylic on canvas

This piece is two paintings that contrast forms of expression in Sri Lankan and in the US. One painting shows Tissa behind bars in detention. The other is of several activists holding posters. This side was inspired by photos I took on a Get on the Bus for Human Rights event that I participated with in New York City.