Use the below links to jump to different info about RECOGNITION, or have a read through and learn about the artist
ABOUT THE ARTIST RECOGNITION
RECOGNITION is a queer, neurodivergent artist from London, England.
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The name RECOGNITION has a dual purpose. Firstly it helps signify the intent of the work to those viewing pieces - see the Theory principle below.
Secondly, ADHD creates constant new ideas and impulses to act on them. Having this name acts as a reminder of direction and focus to help me resist going off track during pieces. Other projects are kept separate under a different name.
WHY THE MASK?
Why the mask? With art often being all consuming, it can let me create personal/professional boundaries, and help me to switch off my brain when things become overwhelming. It's not always there, but can be a useful coping mechanism.
THE PRINCIPLES OF RECOGNITION
1. The Theory
"The more connected we are to a subject the more it can be abstracted and retain recognition."
- RECOGNITION
Connections are believed to be built in three principle ways:
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A) Emotionally charged personal experiences. This can be a one off experience or built over time.
B) Consistent interaction with a place
C) Overexposure through media and other stimuli
For my pieces to to test the theory, I want to firstly engage people with the subject. From observations in galleries, I noticed people often read the names and details as/before they truly look at a piece, potentially using the context to inform their perspective of the artwork
I want to create something visually stimulating that tests their connection and recognition, before giving them the answer aftewards.
There are two desired outcomes of this:
A) This is to create that 'ah ha' moment of realization and understanding as the piece is given new meaning.
B) Conversely, people who guessed the subject of the piece get a small dopamine hit when their suspicions are confirmed as correct.
Owners of pieces therefore hold a power, in choosing as/when/if to share the subject's identity with others.
2. The Reveal
3. Personalisation
In my map based work, I encourage owners of pieces to hang them in the configuration and orientation they wish, or even not to hang some elements.
This is to relinquish control of the artwork and let them be a part of the final piece. Through this they may make the test of recognition harder/easier for others.
HOW I MAKE MY ARTWORK
In order to best facilitate the emotions coming from the viewer's connection to the piece and their change in emotional connection through the reveal of the subject, I aim to reduce my physical impact on artwork.
In paintings this often means applying paint in numerous thin layers in order to reduce brush strokes. Masking tape is cut and used to help create clean and simple edges.
Screen prints are often done in simple block colours, preferring fewer layers with minimal trapping in order to not distract from the subject.
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The exception to this is through handwritten clues to the subject sometimes written over the top of the artwork, due to the typically personal nature of the clue.
