Prep drawings 3

Drawings of food, bags,shoes,brands,things that are popular with young people (:

media pencil on paper
size ~A4
dated june, july 2011

studies on wants, desires of an average teenager.

Prep drawings 2

Preparatory studies of happy contented children

media pencil on paper
size A4 -A3
dated june, july 2011

these are more studies on contented and happy children

HANDMADE BOOKS I

title untitled

media paper,thread, elastic band
size B5
dated july 2011

During the FOA week, i went for the book binding workshop and learnt how to make books from Ms Michelle (:

She has really nice handmade books with cool covers and other cool stuff. you can see it at her website (:

i made 3 books during the workshop, a B5 notebook which cover i decorated by sowing and 2 smaller ones made with scrapbooking paper.

<- sowing rainbow coloured thread onto the book cover


inside of cover

the 2 other smaller books (:

title untitled

media paper,thread,elastic band
size 11cm x 15 cm
dated july 2011

title untitled

media paper,thread
size ~B5
dated sept 2011

Currently, i'm making books with more sections,this way the books will be thicker without having a gaping hole down the middle.

detail of edges

HANDMADE BOOKS! II

the 3 books that i made after the book binding workshop!

title blue book

media cloth,paper,thread size ~12cm x~17cm dated aug 2011

The 1st book i made, i used cardboard for the cover then wrapped it in blue cloth and sowed the edges (:

i think it is 40 pages

<-the edges sown to the cover

Stitches in the book

title untitled

media paper,thread size ~10cm x~13cm dated aug 2011

my 2nd book (:

cover is scrapbooking paper

i used old line paper for the pages to give a old feeling

title untitled

media paper,thread size ~11cm x~15cm dated aug 2011

my 3rd book!

i think it is ~50 pages

i tore the pages, instead of cutting it to give it a "rougher" look

aep essay- A valid interpretation of an artwork is dependent on an understanding of the artist’s intent and the context in which it was created.

A valid interpretation of an artwork is dependent on an understanding of the artist’s intent and the context in which it was created.

I feel that a valid interpretation of art does is dependent on an understanding of the context in which it was created. However, I feel that a valid interpretation is not dependent on the artist’s intention although it is important. I define a valid interpretation as one that is meaningful and is not superficial. I also think that there can be more than one valid interpretation for the same artwork.

Firstly, I do feel that a valid interpretation can only be made with an understanding context. This is because what an artist is trying to express in his art may not literal or that the images carry a special meaning, specific to a certain context For example, in the case of Srikandi by Lucia Hartini. If one does not understand the background of the artist, one would not understand why she painted a confident woman seemingly repelling floating eyes and the significance of such a painting. However with an understanding of the context, one would possibly understand the symbolism of floating eyes (which represent how society views women) and why she dressed the woman in blue cloth (women warriors who used to protect the feudal kings were dressed in blue). Without knowing the context, a viewer could possibly interpret the work as artist is trying to portray someone as a confident woman, unable to understand why she painted it. This would be a rather superficial interpretation.

Furthermore, with an understanding of the context of the work, one would understand why the artist used certain techniques in the work and the significance of doing so. For example, the romanticist used emotive colours and brushwork; in today’s context this would not be particularly shocking or surprising as we are already exposed to more shocking techniques of art. However, in that time, this was revolutionary. As art then was used to copy nature, hence to express such emotions through art was unheard of. Thus romantic works carries a meaning of breaking away from tradition, changing the definition of art.

I feel that an understanding of the artist intention is important but one should have their own judgment in interpreting a work and not be completely swayed by the artist’s intention. Understanding is important as it allows for further understanding of the work and helps the viewer to draw the link between the context and work. For example, in ready-mades in Dadaism, the context is World War 1 and the work is randomly chosen objects. However the link between the 2 is still rather unclear. With the understanding that the artist’s intention was to shock and mock serious art intention as artist felt that humans were too inhumane, the link is clearer and the work is more easily understandable. However, I do feel that one should look at the work without the knowledge of the artist’s intention and develop one’s own interpretation. Later, when one knows about the artist intention, one can rethink one’s own interpretation and decide on a final interpretation. I feel that the artist intention can influence one’s interpretation but should not be dependent on it.

Therefore, I feel that understanding of the context and the artist’s intention would allow us better appreciate the work and have a better interpretation of the work! (:

random stuff i made

i'm quite a hands-on person so i like making things, creating things more than drawing or painting. these are some random little objects that i made when i was bored.

title cupcakes
media beads
size large:~2cm x ~2cm, small:~1cm x 1cm
dated june 2011

i made the beaded cupcakes through stringing beads together.

i adapted the cupcake pattern from 2 beading patterns found from deviant art and on a beading website. so i made my first one, the small one in the middle. i thought beading cupcakes were quite fun so i experimented and made a bigger one(on the far left) then i adapted my beading design slightly to include a metal loop to hang it(like the one on the right)

Then,i went on to experiment with different coloured beads, making these:

title cupcakes
media beads
size ~1cm x 1cm
dated june 2011

i also like making things out of cloth, apart from pouches, i also make little stuffed objects like hearts, animals, things ,etc.

title untitiled
media cloth,stuffing,thread
size ~6cm - 7cm
dated june 2011

one example is the stuffed heart and stuffed star that i made during the December holidays last year.

the stuffed star was more difficult cos the edges were harder to stuff.

today in the newspaper, i came across someone who also makes things out of cloth. i think she quite cool and and very creative, using scrap cloth to make pretty, cute things (:

this is her website

coursework prep drawings

media pencil on paper
size A3
dated April, may 2011


when i decided on CONTENTMENT as my theme for my coursework, i started out doing studies on happy children and spoilt children.