Mx.D.P

 

In my ongoing art research, I have found meditation in gel plate printing. This technique not only allows me to express my creativity but also explores the elements within my practice focus.

 

Gel plate printing is a mono-printing technique accessible to all artists regardless of age or disability. By exploring this printing format, I am rejecting ableism in art, tearing down and reassembling images and narratives, which also mirrors my investigation of gender identity.

 

By its sheer materiality, I am using up my stock of acrylic paint in an environmentally friendly manner. By using acrylic paint in a process without any water waste, I am actively pursuing a practice to prevent the addition of more microplastics in our waterways and seas.

 

Sounds good; however, like any good experimental practice, it has its share of frustrations and triumphs, and these will no doubt appear in a future animation project using the prints made…

 

The intersectionality of ableism and gender identity in this work is tangible. It allows my practice to engage in artistic expression without barriers. By exploring techniques, I am not only advocating for inclusivity but also challenging societal norms and perceptions, the satisfaction of independence, and to be seen. I tear down and reassemble images and narratives within collage; I evoke my own gender identity. This process of self-discovery and expression has been both liberating and thought-provoking. I can visually communicate my emotions and experiences, creating a dialogue that transcends the results of production but concentrates the artistic experience through process.

 

One of the driving forces behind my practice is to address the environmental damage art processes inflict. I aim to reduce the amount of acrylic paint in our waterways and seas. It is alarming to learn that over 54% of microplastics in the sea are paint particles. By using up my stock of acrylic paint that I have accumulated over the years in an environmentally friendly process, I am actively preventing further pollution. I hope to raise awareness about the environmental impact of our choices.

 

While gel printing offers a fun and friendly artistic process, it has challenges. Transferring printed images from magazines onto the printing plate can be hit or miss. Sometimes, I create an engaging and relevant collage, only to find that none of the print or image transfers successfully.

However, I have come to appreciate the random Dada-esque nature of this process. It adds an element of surprise and unpredictability to the work, pushing me to embrace the unknown and explore new artistic territories.

 

I am gradually gaining a better understanding of this technique and its potential. In addition to creating collages, I am predisposed to use the results of my printing as a foundation for an animation project. By bringing my artwork to life through animation, I hope to amplify further the messages and emotions in my prints.

The randomness and unpredictability add an exciting element to this research and I’m looking forward to seeing where this artistic exploration takes me and how my animation project will bring my prints to life or should it… maybe it doesn’t have to be filmed, is that a safe space. Stay tuned for more updates on my gel plate adventures! As I end up with more questions than answers… still early days!