Lesley, on Printed Material has been talking about artist using and creating maps and this brought to mind Grayson Perry's etching, 'Map of Nowhere' (above). Here Perry has combined a medieval map of the world with a diagram of his body/life. It has many modern social and psychological references and it made me think of what many of us try to do in our journals albeit on a rather simpler level.(Clicking on the picture will reveal some details.) His Walthamstow Tapestry has a similar style, but is a woven textile. This maps the seven ages of man and although at first glance looks like a medieval piece, contains many references to modern life including many familiar brand names
Grayson Perry's first piece is reminiscent of the Hereford Mappa Mundi - a 13th century map of the world which combined the known world with mythical lands and beasts as well as spiritual guidance provided by Christian images.
and these in turn made me think about creating a Mappa Me-a but I haven't got very far in filling it in. Lesley's posts made me dig it out, so perhaps I will have some inspiration to finish it off. I was going through a rather introspective phase when I started it - I don't think it will be as revealing as the Perry piece!!
I'll let you know if I get and further.
(Please note the comfy shoes)
8 comments:
I'm a fan of Grayson Perry's ceramics (and think his frock wearing is good fun). The Mappa Mundi inspiration is an interesting one, if I were doing it I think I would give it a nautical flavor - the 'here be beasties' type of thing.
Intriguing. I love the way one blog sparks off another and where that takes us.
Jane
Jill,
I had a good look at this Map of Nowhere again today and found this phrase in it - 'excessive logic leads to despair'. It has stayed with me all day and made me a bit introspective. Not in a bad way I hasten to add. Now your map has triggered something for me. Aren't blogs good?Thanks. Lesley
Isn't Grayson Perry's work just so wonderfully inspiring and original? Great post yet again Jill.
I failed to say than I am a great Grayson Perry fan - he has brought ceramics and textiles into the fine art world and almost subversively uses his work to make strong and sometimes controversial statements.
I love how other blogs open up a variety of perspectives on different art. Indeed, open up artists unfamiliar (as yet) Found this post particularly interesting Jill. I like the beginnings of your own Mappa Mundi. Including the comfy shoes!
A fascinating and inspiring post Jill. I hadn't come across Grayson P before so thank you for introducing me to him. I hope you will take your own map forward and look forward to seeing the result.
I was feeling very grey and low today after a week of commuting misery and this is just the sort of thing to get the old creative juices flowing again.
I love to see how one idea can inspire another, yet the results are so different. I will look further at Grayson Perry - I was aware of his existence, but haven't really looked at his work!
Post a Comment