The creation of illusory depth and movement on the surface of ceramic artworks
The investigation is grounded within theories associated with the creation and perception of visual phenomena, specifically key psychological and physiological principles relating to the illusory properties of colour and tone.
Selected artists who exploit the illusory effects resulting from the ways they apply and compose colour in their artworks, are drawn upon and discussed through a series of theoretical studies, and the findings used to inform the development of a framework for the conduct and evaluation of the studio-based strand of the project.
Practical trials explore illusory effects identified both through the literature/ field review and independent practice. These effects include the role of the coloured ground, tonal gradation, contrasting colours, gradation of contrast and the relationship between pigment and glaze, with specific regard to the effects of transparency and opacity and how the physical properties of these relationships affect the production of hue, tone and saturation.
A further series of trials examine the ways arrangements of selected combinations of pigment and glaze create illusory effects of depth and movement, and the aesthetic results and other relevant outcomes are evaluated, according to terms drawn from the theoretical strand of the study. A series of new artworks will demonstrate the ways combinations of pigment and glaze, and the composition of these, can be exploited to articulate the illusory effects of depth and movement on ceramic surfaces.
Conference/professional experience:
– Chair of the Academic Associate Committee at U.W.I.C. (Sept 2008 – Sept 2009)
– Research poster workshop leader U.W.I.C. (May 2010)
– Research Poster lecture Birmingham School of Art (July 2010)
– Visiting artist: lecture and workshop, Belgium (Oct/Nov 2010)
Links: – http://www.studiopottery.co.uk/profile/Alison/Graham – www.alisongraham.co.uk
