Analysing Artwork

Gillian Lambert
Self-Deception
7/9/2016

(emotional description of the

subject)

Part 1 - Initial
Response
Introduction:
The artwork is one of series of self-reflections, displaying impeccable
drawing skills.. The artist, Gillian Lambert completed the artwork in 2011.
She is based Austin, Texas.
Visual:
My first reaction to this art work was confusion, as the drawing was
beautiful at the same time as very ugly. She uses pencil to show all kinds
of textures in black and white. I noticed the strings squashing the facial
features at first. Then I saw that the features were distorted. The face
looked as if it had been constrained. I was fascinated that the image is
attractive, yet repulsive, like watching a horror movie. I wanted to know
why the face was tied in this way. I would like to see an ordinary image or
photo of the artist. I think that this piece of artwork is very relevant to my
project because it is all about the emotional description of the subject,
beyond the physical form.
Emotional:
This art piece makes me in awe of the artists skills and creative ability to
express her emotions in physical form.
Memory/ Experience:

This particular image reminds me of old drawings of people being hanged

as punishment for their crimes. It also reminds me of live fish caught in a
net. .

Part 2- Conceptual Understanding

The Artist
Gillian Lambert graduated from Kenyon College and exhibited this series
of drawings in Austin, Texas in 2011. The artist is obviously young so there
is very little personal information available. .

Background

Gillian Lambert graduated from Kenyon College and exhibited this series
of drawings in Austin, Texas in 2011. She also exhibits series of
photographs in colour as well as black and white.

Ideas and Intentions

I discovered that the artist intended to express her emotions. I have

always found something beautiful in the grotesque the repulsive, the
awkward, the vulnerable, the psychologically enigmatic. The drawing
support the proverb, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Part 3- Formal Elements

Written Analysis

Subject Matter
Lamberts work has focused on distorted, contorted self-portraits where
the facial features morph into other textures and materials. The features

seem to be pulled or dragged by materials such as foil, string, noodles and

even sauce. The message seems to be that beauty can discovered in
ugliness. This confirms that a flawless face may conceal evil. We should
not, Judge a book by its cover.

Composition
In this particular picture he artist has chosen to show the face without a
neck connecting it to the torsoe. The head looks as if it has been
decapitated. The shape of the head has been distorted by the strings tied
around the hair. The hair trails down the picture like seaweed.

Materials/Techniques/ Processes
Lambert shows highly developed drawing skills. The series uses graphite
pencil to mimic hair, skin, tree bark, foil, textiles as well as liquids. She
produces very life- like images using just the limited materials of pencil
and paper. On the other hand the images seem impossible. The highly
disfigured images still appear to be beautiful.

Colour
The tonal shades of black and white resemble black and white
photographs. Lambert is able to use shades of black and white to stun the
audience. The clear black lines contrast sharply against the clean white
background.

Mood/ Atmosphere/ Environment

serious, amused, thoughtful, challenging, insightful
The artist makes the audience consider beauty in a new dimension. The
faces are beautiful, although compressed, pulled and twisted.

Part 4- Concluding Response

Value
Researching this particular piece of artwork is particularly important to my
future project.

The portrait shows the artists response to our ideas of beauty. She allows
us to reconsider societys opinion of others. The artist has used her own
image and skills to represent her viewpoint.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

The artists ideas and intention influenced my future project. I realised I could use
simple materials to produce artwork and that developing technical skills is a worthy
goal. I like the idea of using artwork to express my ideas. .

Bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Alsbrooks