Post on 19-Apr-2018
Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries - candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
Heroes & Harmony
Doctor of Creative Industries Portfolio Thesis
by
Linda Pollard
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
2
Contents Heroes D.C.I. Project 1 – Part A ‘Heroes of the Club’ Page 3 - 41
A visual representation of the stories of ‘heroic’ Australian surf lifesavers.
D.C.I. Project 1- Part B ‘Heroes of the Club….. from within’ Page 42 - 51 An expression on canvas of the inherent qualities and traits of the ‘heroic’ group of surf lifesavers
Harmony D.C.I. Project 2 ‘Crossing the intersection…… Art and Life’ Page 52 – 77 A post-modernist approach to the harmonious Fusion of the aesthetics of Abstract Expressionism And Pop Art.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
3
Project I – Part A
Heroes of the Club
The Telstra Country Wide ‘Heroes of the Club’ initiative gave me the opportunity to
interview and write short stories about forty Australian surf lifesavers who had been
nominated as ‘heroes’ by their local clubs.
What makes a hero? Is it courage, fearlessness, dedication and sheer
determination or all of those traits? I soon discovered that the ‘hero’ nomination
didn’t necessarily mean that they had saved a life, as the stories I heard were as
varied as the ages and backgrounds of those I interviewed. Ranging in age from
fifteen to eighty-one, some had indeed saved lives and been awarded for their
bravery, others were SLS Australasian and world champions, and there were those
who were considered ‘heroes’ for their unwavering commitment, always ready to
lend a hand, whatever the task.
I was struck by their selflessness and generosity of spirit and they were all
exceptional people in their own unique way.
For DCI Project One, my objective was to capture the essence of these stories on
canvas and I chose seventeen stories as a representation of this heroic group.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
4
Examinable Outputs
17 ‘Heroes’ paintings (all acrylic on canvas, 121cm x 91cm)
exhibited
Q.U.T. Art Museum Tom Heath Gallery
August 19 to September 21, 2008
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
5
Heroes of the Club (24 page booklet containing Linda Pollard’s ‘Hero’ artwork and short stories)
Acknowledgement: This booklet was produced for Telstra Country Wide by their Advertising Agency, Clemenger Harvie Edge, Brisbane. The layout, hero photography and printing of the booklet was provided by Clemenger Harvie Edge. All copy and artwork images in the booklet were provided by Linda Pollard. Written approval was sought and obtained by Linda Pollard from each of the Hero participants to use their photograph and short story in the booklet.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
6
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
7
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
8
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
9
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
10
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
11
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
12
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
13
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
14
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
15
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
16
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
17
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
18
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
19
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
20
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
21
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
22
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
23
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
24
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
25
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
26
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
27
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
28
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
29
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
30
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
31
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
32
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
33
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
34
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
35
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
36
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
37
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
38
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
39
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
40
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
41
Artist Linda Pollard and Her Excellency, Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley, A.O.
One Big Family was gifted to the Surf
Life Saving Australia Foundation. SLSA
re-named the painting Circle of Friends
and used this name for their Bequest
Program. The official launch of the
Program was held at Government
House, May 2010, and hosted by SLSA
patron, Her Excellency, Governor of
Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley,
A.O. I officially presented this painting to
SLSA at this function where each donor
received a small framed copy of Circle of
Friends in acknowledgement of their
support.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
42
Project 1 – Part B
Heroes of the Club
‘from within’
Part B is a collection of paintings where I sought to convey my emotional response to
several of the qualities evident in the group of surf lifesavers I interviewed in Project 1
(Part A). This body of work focuses more on my representation of a quality or trait
not in the context of a particular story, but via my emotional response to the trait itself
and to answer the question:
How will I express inherent qualities or traits of the ‘heroic’ group
using paint to express my emotional response to each?
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
43
Notes for Examiners
A Notes for Examiners (28 page) document was provided to examiners prior to
examining the creative outputs, the artwork. The document was intended to
contextualize the project, sharing the influences and inspirations for this work,
techniques I explored, relevant references and insights, all of which were intended to
provide context when viewing the paintings.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
44
Examinable Outputs
‘from within’
9 paintings
exhibited
Brisbane Institute of Art
August 2009
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
45
Determination 1 , acrylic on canvas, 102cm x 76cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
46
Determination 2, acrylic on canvas, 30cm x 30cm Determination 3, acrylic on canvas, 30cm x 30cm
Determination 4, acrylic on canvas, 61cm x 61cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
47
Vitality, acrylic on linen, 150cm x 75cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
48
Growth, acrylic on linen, 150cm x 75cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
49
Nurture, acrylic on linen, 150cm x 75cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
50
Courage, acrylic on linen, 150cm x 75cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
51
Strength , acrylic on linen, 150 cm x 75cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
52
PROJECT 2
Crossing the intersection…..Art & Life
A post-modernist approach to the harmonious fusion of the aesthetics
of
Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
53
Crossing the intersection…… Art and Life investigates through practice-lead research
how I personally respond to the conundrum that Richard Serra was so concerned about
back in the early 1980s, i.e. ‘How do you love Pollock and Warhol and make a connection?
This research is not concerned specifically with Pollock and Warhol, but the aesthetics of
the art movements for which they have become so legendary, Abstract Expressionism and
Pop Art respectively. The intersection of these two diverse movements, the challenge to
the non-representational, emotionally expressive Abstract Expressionists, confronted and
usurped from the top spot by the emergence and fast rise of the popular, impersonal and
often banal imagery of Pop Art, not only represented a revolution in art taste but marked a
watershed in art history. It is these two apparent polarities of style and context that this
body of work attempts to reconcile by harmoniously fusing aesthetics in a way that
resonates high and low art characteristics, representing Art and Life, through personal
narrative and with reference to artistic tradition and art history.
The initial interest in this research can be traced to a painting Courage which I completed
for the Heroes project, part (b) ‘from within’. Many saw this painting with its gestural marks
partnered with bright to bordering on fluorescent palette as an Abstract Expressionist /Andy
Warhol cross-over. This notion sparked an interest in researching a fusion of the aesthetics
of abstract expressionism and Pop art as ‘Courage’ was evidence, to me at least, that a
harmonious cohesion could be achieved.
Courage, 2009, acrylic on canvas 150 x 75 cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
54
Research Methodology
As with Project 1 (a) and (b), this research for Project 11 is situated within my visual arts
practice, and the research methodology I employed is performative, practice-led research
where my work is considered to be the symbolic data: the outcomes of the research. I
continually questioned my processes and documented reflective trails as I journeyed
through the research, and because my research is practice-led, the material outcomes are
the research findings in their own right and were offered as creative outputs for
examination. I drew on qualitative research methods to reference art history and relevant
information sources which were presented in a Framing Document. However, my
examinable outcomes sit firmly in the multi-method Performative Research category.
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Performative Research
“the activity or operation of expressing something as quantity or amount – for example, in numbers, graphs or formulas: (Schwandt, 2001:215)
Refers to “all forms of social inquiry that rely primarily on qualitative data, i.e. nonnumeric data in the form of words: (Schwandt, 2001:213)
Expressed in nonnumeric data, in forms of symbolic data other than words in discursive text. These include material forms of practice, of still and moving images, of music and sound, of live action and digital code.
The scientific method Multi-method Multi-method led by practice
(Haseman, 2006)
Together with the qualitative research, my practice-led research processes were outlined in
a supporting (9,000 word) Framing Document which was submitted to examiners prior to
them examining the final body of artwork, the symbolic data, Long Playing. This supporting
document enabled my practice-led research methods to be articulated and was intended to
support my examinable artwork, by contextualising the project, the objectives, the
research, the theorising and thinking, revealing how the project outcomes were achieved.
Reference: Haseman, B. (2006) A Manifesto for Performative Research, Media International Australia incorporating Culture
and Policy, theme issue ‘Practice-led Research’ (no.118) pp. 98-106.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
55
Practice-led research – initial stages – collage on canvas
LP Cover art collage on canvas, 92cm x 123cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
56
Practice-led research – initial stages – vinyl on canvas
Singles on canvas, 145cm x 130 cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
57
Practice-led research – initial stages – vinyl on canvas (cont.)
LPs on canvas 120cm x 92 cm
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
58
Examinable Outputs
Long Playing
18 paintings (all acrylic on vinyl)
exhibited
November 9 – November 20, 2010
Metro Arts Gallery 109 Edward Street
Brisbane
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
59
Artist’s Statement
Long Playing
Long Playing is a body of work which resulted from my investigation into seeking a
harmonious fusion of the aesthetics of two conflicted art movements Abstract
Expressionism and Pop Art. My research ‘Crossing the intersection… Art and Life’
explores a post-modernist approach by borrowing the painterly brush strokes of Abstract
Expressionism representing art, fused with the iconography of a consumer-oriented Pop
Art culture representing life. It is these two apparent polarities of style and context that this
body of work attempts to reconcile.
I found LPs to be fitting icons of Pop Art’s celebration of consumer culture and explored the
symbolism of using the LPs by eliminating the canvas altogether to research new territories
of representation. Using the vinyl also appealed to the importance I place on recycling and
renewing items of lasting value that have been discarded, the detritus of a modern society,
and when I can extend recycling to my artwork then I am happy. I hope that the recording
artists, the voices and instruments on the vinyl, would approve of my incorporation of their
work into my work, a metamorphosis in a sense, to communicate to a new audience in a
different way.
n.b. Each work has been given the title of a song taken from one of the LPs or Singles in
the artwork. This is my tribute from the voice of one artist to another.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
60
Tango Seranata
116cm x 108cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
61
Vilia 114cm x 114cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
62
Jive Bunny 88 cm x 82cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
63
Beyond the reef 69cm x 94cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
64
In search of you 86cm x 77cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
65
La Bamba 116cm x 98cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
66
Jellybean 131cm x 100cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
67
Prima Donna 80cm x 70cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
68
Rivers of Babylon 96cm x 89cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
69
Rigoletto 91 cm x 82cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
70
Separate Ways 88 cm x 81cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
71
Tie a yellow ribbon 94 cm x 68cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
72
Two hearts 66cm x 78cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
73
Seraphim 104cm x 91cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
74
To the ends of the earth, 108cm x 82cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
75
Only Love 136cm x 85cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
76
Heroic 117cm x 79cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
77
Fly me to the moon 109cm x 77cm approx.
‘Heroes & Harmony’ Portfolio Thesis - Doctor of Creative Industries candidate Linda Pollard - February, 2011
78
Thank-you to my project mentors
Jill Barker,
Donald J. Waters,
Peter Hudson,
Dr. Daniel Mafe,
Dr. Courtney Pedersen
and
Dr. Jillian Claire and Prof. Brad Haseman
for their support, encouragement and guidance
throughout my D.C.I. journey.