Florence: Summer Abroad 2016

Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi's Annunciation painted in 1333
Currently on display in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy

http://www.uffizi.org/artworks/annunciation-by-simone-martini-and-lippo-memmi/

During my summer in Florence, I studied Renaissance Art History and Painting Conservation. The first took me around the city and surrounding towns examining original Renaissance artworks and architecture in person. In Conservation, I had the opportunity to learn the techniques used in the preservation and restoration of antique artworks; furthermore, I explored these techniques in a hands on environment, restoring antique artworks owned by the Italian state.

My practice panel showing the process of preparing a panel for gilding and painting in egg tempera

Although I initially went abroad thinking that my thesis would somehow address the female experience, particularly in regard to desirability and vulnerability, my experiences did not push my thinking to continue in that direction. Instead I was inspired by materials. What really took my breath away was the way Christian art leading into the Renaissance used gold. Adding to this interest for me was experience  of applying gold leaf firsthand. My peers quickly decided they abhorred the task for its tedium and challenge. For me, it was a challenge to rise to.

So, skipping many steps in explanation, I arrived at an idea for my thesis that was visually related to Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. I am imagining an image that uses gold to create an ephemeral space and respects the historically religious use of gold by indicating a spiritual experience.  By spiritual, I do not mean that my theme is religious. I am thinking instead of how being wholly vulnerable, giving oneself to another, is spiritual in that it transcends the self.

Although this is my current direction, much of my work deals with female identity and issues relating to party culture. That may yet be a direction I end up taking instead.