KATE LUCAS, Lincoln

Last Updated: 8 December 2009 536 views No Comment Posted by: B-Side Empire

Name: Kate Lucas

University: University of Lincoln

Course: Fine Art

“If you don’t know the trees you may be lost in the forest, but if you don’t know the stories you may be lost in life. “
Siberian Elder

The faerie tale is a common element of childhood; the majority of us will have been brought up with stories of the fantastical whether heard from a voice or through the written word. As adults our imagination begins to diminish, it weakens and shrivels into reality. We begin to trust what we can see in front of us. We grow old. However the pressures of our burdening daily lives drive us into withdrawal; into little capsules of imagination. Where is this escape? The thread of faerie tale is not lost for many; we do not grow up. The fanciful imagery from folklore, myths and faerie tales offer an appealing alternative to achieve a reflection; it is the timeless fairy tale that allows us to jump from one world to the other without losing a second of reality.

The lack of colour, achieved with these pencil, graphite and charcoal drawings, is trying to divert away from the possible impact of symbolism in colour and the distraction from the tonal image and the narrative itself. Made-up unique faerie tales by a parent influences the work, rather than from universally known tales. It focuses on personal childhood and imagination. The tones and textures, shown by the use of experimenting with drawing, through materials such as muslin, are an aid to depict layering, morphing and masking identity. Through the use of the personally interpreted mythological creatures residing on top of a previously drawn portrait, it is a representation of revealing ones inner imagination to the outer world; a documented trace of childhood and an individual escape.”