1. Common Assessment 2 Visual Arts Comp Art Criticism

2. Susan Dowling, The Wedding,(2014), mixed media on canvas

3. Description The artwork title describes the subjects of the painting. The subjects are a young woman and man celebrating their wedding day, using multiple photographs to capture the moment. In this mixed media collage photographs, tissue paper and tracing paper are used to create shapes using a cut out method to use a silhouette, overlaying effect. The color palette reflects the wedding theme colors. It also reflects a vintage look using computer manipulated photographs. A texturized feeling is created using the overlaying effect. Layering the printed tracing paper over the images produces a transparent appearance. Several areas of texture placed through the painting develop interesting patterns. The Wedding is a collage glued onto canvas using multiple images, tissue paper and paint. The technique captures a reflection of a moment in time including meaningful images that celebrate The Wedding.

4. Analysis The Wedding create a weight or special balance to the image. The woman and man are the focal point of the composition. The use of the transparent effect draws the viewer into the collage to visually explore the smaller images laid behind the main focal point. This creates has a path of movement created by the interesting shapes and color that move the views eye around the painting. The variety of shapes and color scheme elements displays unity and variety to this painting.

5. Interpretation The Wedding, was created to celebrate the marriage of my youngest daughter. This emotional day was captured through images, capturing the feelings and joy that is reflected in the collage. I tried to convey the excitement of the day, to draw the viewer in and experience the same excitement. The work can relate to the past, present and future generations, using a special day or life changing event as the universal theme.

6. Judgment The Wedding, was an exciting piece of artwork for me to complete. The personal message, excitement and celebration of the event is clearly felt by the viewer. I feel the piece is very successful because it stays with you and makes the viewer investigate the elements and the collage process closely. It captures the essence of the couples personalities, contemporary modern with a vintage twist.