5 Artists Self Portraits

 John Wilson SP:

He is the definite center of this photo. Even though there are other elements in it he is the one raw, detailed part of the composition. The way that he played with the light on his face is what makes this portrait distinctive because he only used one material to draw it out. It makes me wonder if he has a point in using one material, whether that stands for a consistency in his life or how he can express his creativity by only using one simple medium. I also am curious as to why he put the windowsill in the background, does that hold a secret meaning for him? It looks to me to be an open window with a city skyline in the distance, maybe something to do with how he sees himself. Also, the roughness of how he drew himself really brings out a messy depiction of himself, almost chaotic. It almost seems to say that he is one with the chaos, giving chaos an intentional form and a way to express how his inner workings express themselves. 

Susan Hauptman SP:

This image has a lot to say. Her choice of including several other objects in herself portrait is immediately what appears to the eye. She, herself, looks very in control, very calm. The ring around her head reminds me of the halo that appears in depictions of Jesus Christ in many art pieces, maybe alluding to how she may see herself as in control of her own world or as her own savior. The cake and napkin make me think of a birthday party, but it is interesting to me that she chose to give the napkin color but not the cake. You would usually assume that the cake is the item that you would want to bring attention to rather than the napkin. This could possibly represent something, a mess to be cleaned up, a object with obvious creases that yearns to be pressed flat. Now to look at the cake, which is seemingly sprouting fireworks, a symbol of excitement and celebration as the cake is as well. Even though the fireworks are very close to her she seems to disregard them with ease, being above it all. Lastly, she looks as though she is taking off a pair of gloves. Gloves, such as the ones she is wearing, are usually worn as fashion attire, as an elegant statement piece. My thoughts of her taking them off make me think that she might be getting ready to eat some cake. In hindsight, looking back at her complexion, she almost has a hidden smile or a secret to tell. Overall, the general outline that I am getting from this art piece is a sense of control and power with a splash of fun. 

Salvador Dali SP:

This is a very abstract form of a self-portrait. Already the picture even defines its own purpose from the label on the art pieces' pedestal "Soft Self Portrait." What immediately comes to mind is melting. The face of the portrait seems to be melting away into oblivion due to the light being shone onto it. The mask-like face also looks so hollow and alone in its space, making its isolation very clear. The rods holding up the mask look similar to hands. They seem to hold the mask up as it is melting on them. The rods reaching through the eye socket, cheek, and chin look like hands reaching for what they cannot grab or as though they are ready to place another item on top of the portrait, covering it forever.

Frida Kahlo SP:

I love the nature aspect that she gave to her portrait. It is a very realistic drawing of her and what she looked like, but it also brings in other aspects of her true self. The part I truly love is the rope around her neck and how the black animals that are around her are trying to break her free of this restraint. It looks like she longs to be wild and free but is tied down to her form and place in society. The rope is not only keeping her in place, but it is digging deep into her skin, so hard that it is causing her to bleed. She is suffocating on this rope or possibly roots that are locking her in place when she is surrounded by the wild free creatures that are of the earth and are what she longs to be: free. Even the contrast of her plain, clean outfit to the vibrant background seems to lock her down. The look in her eyes that is unfocused and defeated. A woman longing to be unleashed. 

David Choe SP:

It is crazy to me how fast he composed it. The color truly gives it more depth and also makes it look more realistic somehow. Even though it is so simple the rate at which it is being drawn and the expression it is capturing means something more. It isn't diligently thought out and planned, it's from the mind to the paper, no filter. He just keeps adding color and strokes until it feels right. It gives the drawing new life, new dimension with its variety. The asymmetrical quality of it also makes it more life-like considering that we are not symmetrical. It accents the flaws to draw attention to them and show the true beauty in humanity is our differences. 

Paper collage painting:

I love how you can use not only images but words from something entirely different but put a bunch of them together to make a complete piece. How you can see all the lifetimes and stories that were complete on their own be put together as one and create one composition. And it isn't just one layer of them either, its working tirelessly, piece by piece, to give the art the exact dimension and depth it needs. To create a person out of words, images, stories, lives is truly a beautiful sentiment. It shows how the world can come together in one voice, one mind, one image. 

Magazine Collage:

The simplicity of this piece is striking. I love how these three random pieces of art were put together, in a way that none of them intended to be used, to make one art piece. The exactness of the artist to make this piece was skillful and intentional. I wonder if they just happened to find these pieces and fit them together or if they were randomly compiled? The vastness of the woman contrasting to the smaller couple and the even smaller tear really balances the piece. Also, the fact that the couple is in the area where a person's brain would usually be helps us to connect those two things as the person's thoughts. Just the image and the placement help us to connect their story together. I think it is so interesting that with the right cuts and the right placement in space you can put multiple things together and create a uniform piece of art.