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Lucy Emanuel
The thoughts behind the work

What my Project was about
An area that I became particularly fascinated in throughout the Foundation course was the idea of conveying a narrative. By creating an image which evokes mystery, it means that each viewer can generate their own personal interpretation. My specific interest was in exploring ambiguous narrative in an image or series of images. By focusing on film stills and photography I became inspired to use such found images to inform my own work.

Influences
The works of Gregory Crewdson and Peter Doig were particularly motivating due to their different techniques suggesting narrative.

Crewdson uses vast sets in order to produce a series of photographs. The result is a feeling of drama and the use of twilight creates a blue hue adding to the foreboding atmosphere.
 

Doig takes inspiration from film stills and his own photographs in order to piece together his own story for his paintings. Whilst visiting his Tate Britain exhibition I was really able to examine up close the variety of textures found on each canvas’ surface.

I have also inspired by the director Wong Kar Wai, whose film ‘Chungking

Express’ became a particular focus when experimenting. The use of blurring and dark tones throughout the film creates a simmering drama and tension. I think that his work has definitely had an effect on my outcome because I have used the blurring technique to try and create some of the mystery that is provoked in Chungking Express.

Final Piece

The viewer will be left with many questions; Who is this girl? Where is she? Why has she been placed in this setting? Her identity and expression is unknown due to the bright light on her face. In a sense everyone will have a different answer to these questions because our imagination naturally takes over.

The Future

I have completed my Foundation at UCA Farnham, gaining a Distinction for my final project.

I have decided to study an Art History degree course in the autumn at the University of Sussex. This involves studying a range of different art movements and cultures, as well as a visit to Rome, Italy in the first year. I also hope to carry on with my practical art work as well.

Thank you again.