Prompt = Story
The Art of the Narrative
This week’s prompt is similar to the “Yellow Brick Road” one from February 7.
This week, however, we’re going to look more generally at narrative art in which a story may not be self-evident—requiring either the artist or the viewer to complete it.
Prompt #9 - Story
Select historical materials and/or photographs to collage into art that tells (or implies) a story.
Narrative Art: Art that tells a story
Allegorical Art: In its modern form - narrative art that requires artist or viewer input to complete the story. (Often used to relate moral, political, or personal stories.)
I find that creating a story in collage (or other art forms) may present itself in a few different ways:
You find the story
The story finds you
The viewer is in charge of the story
Or any combination of the above
You Find the Story
In this case, a story is already in mind before the work begins - as in my 2021 mixed media collage, “Heartbeat.”
This piece was created as a part of a 2021 “Mapping Memories” online exhibit with The Arts Center of Corvallis. Created as a topographical map of a local section of forest (the Lewisburg Saddle), I recounted the steps I took on the primary hiking trail in gold thread (the red “heartbeat” of the piece), the flora and fauna I frequently found (with stamped images), and the journal pages I wrote during a six month period of time (collaged into the bottom of the piece).
Creating art in this fashion is unusual for me. Typically, I let the process of art-making bring a story out as I work.
The Story Finds You
I started this piece with “found art” acquired from a vintage copy of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, which included fascinating animal illustrations.
I continued adding layers to develop the texture, colors, shapes, and composition of the piece - not yet paying attention to any developing story until I decided to add a couple of pieces from a vintage papyrus souvenir, which I envisioned representing workers and rulers. I liked how the jaguar seemed undecided about which direction he should take (i.e., who should he attack?) In this case, as the jaguar seems about to pounce on the poor fisherman, I let the title complete the story for the viewer: “I am not your Enemy.”
By creating a story in which the artist provides additional clues to share a moral point of view, this “narrative art” may be considered “allegorical art” because it does not simply present the viewer with a story or a “view of daily life.” It urges participation and reflection. (Or so I hope, anyway.)
The Viewer is in Charge
Other narratives may be revealed on a more personal level - letting the viewer interact with the piece to find the story… which brings us to my “collage Friday” piece!
I feel fortunate to be the recipient of a stash of vintage materials from a lovely local woman I met at a show last Fall. Today, I took out a few interesting little bits and pieces and started to organize them on a backing of Strathmore Mixed Media paper.
Something ominous is happening in this little collage, but it’s for the viewer to decide how much and why. What stories will the viewer bring to this collection of memorabilia dancing on an elegant dining table in the red-carpeted room?
I rarely leave a piece “Untitled,” but I think this one will be left as such.
To unpacking those collage stories and mysteries!
Happy collaging!
~ Jennifer