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THEME:-

GENDER ISSUES

This This blog post has been removed … I have contacted them to re-post it BUT I have extracted the information so can use this link as a (now dead) reference.

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“Growing up in the 60’s with 3 sisters and a mother who cooked and sewed for us all has left me with a strong sense of domestic life. I have never sewed but two sisters followed in my mother’s footsteps, even making their own wedding dresses. Two of us love cooking. I prefer to express myself visually, combining drawing marks with collage for this body of work “Domestics”.

“Mixed media is my favourite way of working. My work is concerned with mark making, using media such as graphite, lino prints, aquarelle crayon, collage, and ink washes. I enjoy exploring the element of chance with the methods used in my work, adding new meanings with each layer.”

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‘YOUR CLOTHES AND HOW YOU WEAR THEM’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

17.5cm x 17.5cm x 3.2cm

- ‘Artist’s Blocks’

ISSUE???

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‘YOUR CLOTHES AND HOW YOU WEAR THEM’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

- DETAILS ON THE FOUR SIDES

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‘FEET TOGETHER IS THE SMART WAY’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

ISSUE???

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‘FEET TOGETHER IS THE SMART WAY’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

- DETAILS ON THE FOUR SIDES

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Prepare a 10 mark summary sheet:-

  • use visual ‘chunking’
  • not more than 2 marks on biographical details (introduction to your essay)
  • write a critical analysis of ONE work only
  • stress the ISSUE addressed by the work

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Growing up in the 60’s with 3 sisters and a mother who cooked and sewed for us all has left me with a strong sense of domestic life. I have never sewed but two sisters followed in my mother’s footsteps, even making their own wedding dresses. Two of us love cooking. I prefer to express myself visually, combining drawing marks with collage for this body of work “Domestics”.

Mixed media is my favourite way of working. My work is concerned with mark making, using media such as graphite, lino prints, aquarelle crayon, collage, and ink washes. I enjoy exploring the element of chance with the methods used in my work, adding new meanings with each layer.

‘YOUR CLOTHES AND HOW YOU WEAR THEM’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

- DETAILS ON THE FOUR SIDES

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Possible guidelines: (for 12 marks)

  • There is an irony in the way in which Fraser depicts the female figure in this work. Discuss this while referring to all FOUR of the images you can see.

The irony is evident is the contrast between the large drawn image of the realistic studio model and the small idealized cut out images.The cut outs (and the article) advocate thinness as an ideal while the model is the opposite to this. (+/- 3 marks)

  • Explain the possible meanings of the stamped ‘B’ and the word ‘MEASURE’.

‘B’ refers to the 2nd of the 2 diagrams on the work. It makes the work seem like an instruction manual for the female form. ‘Measure’ also seems to refer to the comparison between the idealized size - thin - and the real size - large /overweight. (+/- 2 marks)

  • The large figure is a live studio model. Where do you think Fraser got the other images from? What meaning could that have?

The other images seem to be cut out of a fashion or sewing book or magazine. They seem dated in style - possibly the 60s (as referenced). This may possibly mean that the trends and prescriptions of the 60s are outdated now. Now women are allowed to be comfortable in their own skin as indicated by the naked model. (+/- 3 marks)

‘FEET TOGETHER IS THE SMART WAY’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

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  • What techniques of Fraser’s can you see in this work? �Discuss these and show how they stand in contrast to the meaning of the work.

Fraser uses collage to construct this work. The magazine article on the left writes about society’s expectations of the perfect woman and the little glued on figures repeat this theme.

The large figure of the model is done in a rough sketchy manner with charcoal and conte which contradicts the idea of perfection.

Ink washes and roughly built up areas of tone create an illusion of 3 dimensions in the large figure while the little figures retain a diagrammatic 2-D appearance. This 2-D and 3-D contrast also reinforces the tension in the work.

The colouring-in of the cutouts reminds one of a colouring-in book which is an immature / child-like view of women.

(+/- 4 marks)

Allocate marks for any reasonable (i.e. with REASONS) interpretations.

‘FEET TOGETHER IS THE SMART WAY’

2011

Lesley Magwood Fraser

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Now practise writing your first essay of the year ….

7.2.

In the form of an essay, discuss any TWO artists' works that address the issues of gender and its roles in society.

Your essay MUST include the following guidelines.

• Names of artists and titles of works

• A discussion of images that reflect masculinity and femininity.

• Expand on some of the elements and principles that your chosen artists have used. (10 marks)

HINT:

Use your Grade11- 2015 Classroom resource as well!