11 VAR_Art as Code_Francesca P 2021

FIA3 – Art as Code

Artist’s Statement Influencing artists: My skateboard artwork is in response to two contemporary artists, Rosalie Gascoigne and Aya Takano. Gascoigne’s incorporation of derelict pieces into her art carried into my own work in the form of a distressed, decaying timber skateboard canvas. I wanted to make the surface look damaged and weathered like Gascoigne’s works. My next influence is the Japanese artist Aya Takano. His watercolor pieces often feature a soft and innocent girl’s face with rounded edges and a muted palette. I liked the contrast of this to the derelict nature of Gascoigne's style, so I used Takano’s style to influence the character I painted in the center of the worn-down canvas. Alongside this artistic influence, I also created my own codes within the piece. The teeth that cascade out of the character’s open mouth are code for the anxiety I struggle with on a day-to-day basis. These teeth fall into the perfect shape of the Virgo constellation, therefore forming another astrologybased code that aims to represent me and my likeness. The waxing crescent I painted on the bottom half of the skateboard correlates to the moon phase that I was born under, signifying my birth, and the beginning of my soul’s journey here. The waxing gibbous that was painted on the top half of the skateboard too correlates to my birthday, however this one represents the moon phase that will rule the sky on my 17th birthday. The two phases together are code for my journey from birth to now, and the spiritual growth of my consciousness. Consistent with the spiritual theme of my resolved work, I painted a bright colourful and dreamy eye on the character’s forehead, code for the third eye that I have learnt to access when I need guidance in life.

Resolved work

Resolved work in detail

Experimental work Acrylic on paper 29.7 x 42 cm

Experimental work Detail: group symbol flags Water crayon on calico 14.81 x 21.01 cm each Roughly 15 metres long

Experimental work

In response to Abdul Abdullah: Acrylic on canvas 32.7 x 45 cm

Experimental work In response to Rosalie Gascoigne: Collage and watercolour on paper 21 x 29.7 cm

Supporting evidence

Supporting evidence

Supporting evidence