Under the Skin, Demo/performance Jan 2015 part one

  Here is the edited snippet of the performance.
Part One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtBXpDoctlM&feature=youtu.be

Part two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tms7Y-X2sk4&feature=youtu.be

A demonstration/performance on Saturday 24th January at 2pm.

Underneath the skin

A charcoal drawing demonstration by Annabel Mednick

an examination into the process of portrait drawing to discover the person within...

As a figurative artist I am interested in how face, body and identity are discovered, represented and perceived in portraiture, and how this relates to our intimate feelings about beauty and ageing, both of ourselves and of others. 

In the first part of this performance/demonstration I used a mirror to produce a self-portrait.  I tried to discover whether I am representing the external or internal self.  Using charcoal I  altered, smeared, and developed the portrait.  As I reflected on my own image, the audience were engaged as I asked for their opinions and directions.  

In the second part I made a portrait of a sitter, Again talking to and consulting the audience, and the sitter, I sketched, changed and rubbed the work as I explored what was a true, or a sympathetic, or a flattering image.  

I am the artist.  I can judge - is she young enough, pretty enough, good enough....

Well that was the plan.... I didn't push it as far as I might have. 

The first half was OK, but in the second part I found I too was constrained by society, I just couldn't say things that could be upsetting or very confrontational... I wanted to please, be a 'nice lady'

When I  do this again next month at the Changing understandings of body image workshop at the University of Warwick

I am going to take on the different roles of The Artist and announce them so it is not so personal to me. I'm sure I will explore some other ideas I have mulling around.

Here are some snaps...

A short film is coming when I have finally finished editing.... two hours into 5 minutes...(I have been having fun with speedy x 4)
Check out the workshops etc here...

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/beauty/events/2015/workshop1.aspxhttp://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/beauty/index.aspx 

My friend Giovanna Maria Cassetta very kindly agreed to sit for me.