Proposal

During the course of the rest of the semester I would like to push the idea of social realism to a further level. I want to create a modern portrait of a woman I met on Myrtle Avenue. This woman claims to be homeless and has opinions I find intriguing. I know very little about her at this point but I am very keen to find out more and then create works from the knowledge and inspiration she gives me.

Her name is ‘Diane’ but is known to the community as ‘D’. She grew up in the neighbourhood and has an interest in the creative arts. I hope to have made a short documentary style film on ‘Diane’ by the end of term that will involve interviews, observation and sound. Alongside this I may find myself helping her get her own opinions and artistic expression recorded in a range of different media. I plan on using text, traditional drawing, photography, sound and film to create Diane’s portrait. This may involve collaboration between Diane and I to make works.

I find the concept of working with Diane imperative to my way of working and thinking. This is, of course, due to my interests in social realism and existentialism. But also, more importantly, the fact that she comes from a completely different background from me. Diane lives a life that very little people choose to do in our society. It could be considered that she lives in an abstract reality to the norm. I find this an enthralling artistic concept, and the fact that she comes from this background may cause her to have expressions, opinions that are completely unique.