A proposal of a different kind

“ Modern art is a configuration of many ancient art forms dating back thousands of years.” 

The aim of my proposed project is to explore the how’s and why’s behind the art of various cultures. This will form part of the research. However, the main objective will be to implement/experiment with the techniques, methods and materials uncovered through this research, creating a series of new and visually exciting artworks.

Many modern art techniques date back to ancient civilizations, however many traditional/ancient techniques have been forgotten or discarded. Traditional art still has deep roots in many cultures, this project is motivated by my previous travels where I experienced some of these cultures (see post: A Gap Year). I was inspired by the art, the methods/techniques used, the importance/use of the art, compared to its meaning and it’s use/importance in modern society.

This project is important to me because I believe modern artists should try to keep ancient art techniques alive by modernizing traditional techniques and methods and putting them in a modern context. To achieve this goal, I aim to research the importance of art in various cultures, and explore their methods and techniques. After which I will experiment with the methods learnt in a modern context through my own artwork.

Batik
An example of an ancient art technique that can be applied to modern art is the Batik. It is a technique commonly refered to as a wax resist dyeing technique, it is used on fabric and is an ancient art form. Discoveries show it already existed in Egypt in the 4th century BCE, where it was used to wrap mummies. Linen was soaked in wax, and scratched using a sharp tool.

However, this art form has also been used In many parts of Asia. The technique was practiced in China during the T'ang dynasty (see image below) (618-907 CE), in India and Japan during the Nara period (645-794 CE) and also in Africa where it was practiced by the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria and the Soninke and Wolof tribes in Senegal. 

This ancient technique applied melted wax to cloth before dipping it in dye. Commonly, a mixture of beeswax and paraffin wax are used. The beeswax holds to the fabric and the paraffin wax allows cracking, which is a characteristic of batik. Wherever the wax has seeped through the fabric, the dye will not penetrate. Sometimes several colors are used, with a series of dyeing, drying and waxing steps.

Tanja Chagorova is a Russian artists who has been working with this ancient technique for more than ten years (See work below). Like myself, Chagorova is interested in developing traditions from the past in a modern art context. “ It is interesting to me to study the culture and art of my native land-Russia, and to apply art of nations of the word.” Chagorova has I lead personal exhibitions in Moscow in 2005, in Hungary in 2006, in Slovakia in 2006, in Poland in 2007, and in India in Delhi in 2007. 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-sari-chagorova-tanja.html