Audrey Stock

The main focus and subject matter of Audrey's artworks and folio was to explore the relationship between skin and culture with a sub focus of discrimination and how the physical appearance can alter the way we are treated differently based on the social implications from the cultural meanings attached to the skin colour. She captured the essence of her own personal perspective that the physical appearance and the colour of your skin does not determine the worth of your being. Her curiosity in the theme skin sparked from a personal experience, while volunteering in South Africa where she met many amazing people that influenced the way she views society. Since she started volunteering at such a young age she had the opportunity to meet so many amazing individuals and was introduced to a new culture of living and way of life. Having such a close connections with these individuals and the experiences and memories made with them ultimately helped her theme of skin become the focus of her folio.

AUDREY STOCK

“Unconventional”

This artwork focuses on the beauty of the skin condition vitiligo. Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses its pigment, causing discoloured patches on the hair and skin.

In using my subject matter of vitiligo I was able to further communicate individuality from societies’ ‘beauty standards’. These standards create a negative effect on a person’s self-esteem, body image and perception of beauty often of themselves and others. This creates a cycle of people constantly comparing themselves to the perceived standards of beauty which society envisages and promotes.

“Unconventional” demonstrates an intense aesthetic of conflicting emotions which juxtaposes the warm tones of the face. The variations of skin pigment are emphasized by the layers of tone, achieved through using the Verdaccio technique and Gouache paint. A vibrant red background symbolizes the emotive and striking aesthetic of the artwork itself, contrasting the skin tones within the portrait.

Art spectrum artist’s gouache, water colour paper

29.7 X 42 cm

AUDREY STOCK

“Colours”

This artwork communicates the huge variety of skin tone, types and textures in our modern society. Using colours to represent emotions as colours can be perceived many different ways, leaving the audience to be influenced by personal experiences and associations with the specific primary hues chosen.

Through using various materials in the development of my artwork I was able to create an individual approach to each artwork aided by my use of vivid primary hues to create this eye-catching artwork series. Each portrait symbolizes a different emotion, the red portrait has a sorrowful expression with the intense red background also enforcing this feeling of desperation. The blue portrait has a self-assured yet regal expression, the eyes dominate the portrait and contrast against the dark hue of the skin with the small earrings creating balance and further emphasizing this aesthetic. As for the yellow portrait, it demonstrates youth and innocence as yellow is often seen as the hue of joy.

Art spectrum artist’s gouache, Micador watercolour and Art spectrum liquid spectrum concentrated ink, watercolour paper

29.7 X 42 cm

Folio Pages