FMP: Thematic Research
- omygraphics
- Mar 7, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 9, 2023
Gemma Correll
About
Gemma Correll is an illustrator and cartoonist based in the UK. She creates artwork for her own shop, Instagram, and has worked with clients including the New York Times, Oxford University Press, and Hallmark cards. Correll has a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Norwich.
Why did I choose this artist?
I have been a fan of her work for sometime, and I love her illustrative art style.
What did I like about their work?
I admire how Correll makes her work accessible to all ages by tackling topical issues in a lighthearted or sarcastic manner, using simple language and recognisable characters. Platforming her work on Instagram means that her comics can be seen anywhere in the world by anybody.
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
Her comics often centre around mental health, which inspired me to think about how I could create my own work with that theme.
References:
About me (no date) Gemma Correll. Available at: https://www.gemmacorrell.com/pages/about-me (Accessed: March 7, 2023).
[Picture] Gemma Correll, drawing with her pug (2023) Gemma Correll Official Website. Available at: https://www.gemmacorrell.com (Accessed: March 9, 2023).
[Artwork] Correll, G. (2023) Worrier Pose, Gemma Correll Official Website. Available at: https://www.gemmacorrell.com (Accessed: March 9, 2023).
Shamsia Hassani
About
Shamsia Hassani, (April 1988), is a graffiti artist based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is the first female Afghan street artist. Feminism is a common theme throughout her artwork, where Hassan illustrates her recurring protagonist, a powerful Afghan woman. Whilst Afghan women live in a very male-dominated society, her work offers inspiration to women, and brings colour and hope into the war-torn streets of Afghanistan. Overall, Hassani is an inspirational figure, as her artwork continues to encourage many Afghans to unleash their creative side.
Why did I choose this artist?
I have followed Hassani's artwork and activism for a long time. Her artwork captures the the fear and the strength of Afghan women. The way she tackles this a human rights issue is inspiring, as it is very dangerous for Hassani to create her street art in Afghanistan.
What do I like about their work?
I love mural art, street art, and public installations, having created such pieces myself. Hassani's art style is very modern and abstract, shown by the exaggerated movements and lines in her artwork.
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
Her unique artstyle portrays Afghan women in many different lights, from feeling scared to rising through. The way Hassani tackles women's rights in a society that heavily targets women is inspiring. I would like to take inspiration from her artwork and her bravery to create what she truly believes in, and what is right, no matter how it may perceived by certain members of society.
References:
(no date) Shamsia Hassani - Official Website. Available at: https://www.shamsiahassani.net/ (Accessed: March 7, 2023).
[Picture] Shamsia Hassani next to her artwork (2021) Shamsia Hassani - Official Website. Available at: https://www.shamsiahassani.net (Accessed: March 9, 2023).
Bob and Roberta Smith
Who are Bob and Roberta Smith? (2016) Bob and Roberta Smith. Available at: http://bobandrobertasmith.co.uk/who-are-bob-and-roberta-smith/ (Accessed: March 7, 2023).
About
Patrick Bill, known as Bob and Roberta Smith, is an English artist, famous for his protest work, and the man behind 'Make Art Not War'. Many of his artworks are displayed in the Tate Art Gallery in London.
Why did I choose this artist?
I love the way Smith uses creative typography and protest signs to tackle issues ranging from education, art, and the environment.
What do I like about their work?
His artwork is straightforward with a simple message. It is colourful yet simplistic in its design, which makes it eyecatching and easy to digest.
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
Creating art work on a picket sign would be a brilliant metaphor for my work, and this is exactly what Smith does.
Vivienne Westwood
About
Vivienne Westwood was a British fashion designer. A former teacher, Westwood became a self-taught designer. After moving in with the soon-to-be manager of the Sex Pistols, Martin McLaren, they began a career in fashion. Together they opened a stall selling vintage fashion and rock and roll records. Westwood began to create provocative clothes designs featuring McLaren’s anti-establishment strap lines. Famously, Westwood created ‘God Save The Queen T-shirt’ for the Sex Pistols, a design that caused mass controversy when it was released in 1977. By 1980, after her relationship with McLaren ended, Westwood began to create classically inspired fashion pieces. Westwood’s legacy is embroiled in activism, particularly surrounding climate change, including her Save The Arctic campaign, and her Climate Revolution t-shirt, which was launched at the 2012 London Paralympics Closing Ceremony.
Why did I choose this designer?
Having conducted some researched Westwood in previous projects, I was aware of her work and its political ties.
What did I like about their work?
Westwood's Climate Revolution t-shirt inspired me to think about creating my own slogan t-shirt. Her designs are very modern and abstract.
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
Westwood's designs are inspired by political movements and activism, which follows the nature of my theme about speaking up about autism, education and mental health.
Jessica Smells
@thejessicasmells
About
Jessica Smells is a digital artist based in Leicestershire, who creates prints and merchandise with themes ranging from sarcastic humour, mental health, and disability. Jessica has a range of pins and T-shirts featuring the slogan ‘Uninspiring Disabled Person’, challenging the notion that disabled people must do something inspirational or amazing ‘in spite of their disability’ to be considered worthy or valuable. We don’t hold these standards to the able bodied, so why should we hold them to disabled people?
Why did I choose this artist?
What did I like about their work?
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
Cobolt Collective
"Power tae the key workers": Cobolt Collective injects the streets of Glasgow with hope, colour and positivity (no date) It's Nice That. Available at: https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/cobolt-collective-power-tae-the-key-workers-illustration-graphic-design-250620 (Accessed: March 8, 2023).
Cobolt (@coboltcollective) • instagram photos and videos (no date). Available at: https://www.instagram.com/coboltcollective/ (Accessed: March 8, 2023).
About
Cobolt Collective is a Glasgow based group of four Scottish artists, Chelsea Frew, Edda Karólína Ævarsdóttir, Erin Bradley-Scott and Kat Loudon. The group creates large-scale murals, each member their own expertise. Kat is a graphic designer, Edda, a graphic artist, Chelsea, an illustrator and Erin, a sign writer, graphic designer and type designer.
Why did I choose this collective?
What did I like about their work?
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
Below are the questions I asked myself to write about and analyse my research:
What do I like about the content of their work?
How did does their artwork inspire mine?
Their work has influenced mine because...
Why did I choose this artist?
What do I like about their work?
How did they inspire me to choose my theme?
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