High scoring post-graduates! Tips on the Exam/Unit 4 folios?

[Yendall]

I'm really determined to score highly (45+) in Studio, and I was wondering if some high scoring ex-students could provide a little insight in regards to the final folio, works and the end of year exam.

I am currently in the process of completing:

• Five canvas finals (Oils) that make up two works. Four (30inch x 24inch) and One (70inch x 60inch)
• Unit 4 Focus statement and Development pages

My finals will be a set of greek Gods, each depicting different areas of Greek Mythology, as my study this year is Mythology. My four pieces will consist of four different Gods (Opposing physically, through mythological aspects and in regards to colour) and one large piece consisting of a mixture/fusion/metamorph of Gods, personas and fantasy-creatures.
I would love to hear thoughts on my choice of subject matter, canvas size and ideas, and also how I could create something that will show versatility (not only through choice of subject matter, but techniques with oils)

Thanks for any feedback and insight.

Max.

[MJay1993]

In terms of the theme, it sounds like you have a solid grounding in what you're doing. If you have a strong understanding of the subject matter, and you can interpret that in your own unique way, then you're definitely on the right track.
Canvas size seems about right (don't quote me on that, I'm a photographic one-trick pony), not overly large but comparing it to stuff I saw in Top Arts this year, definitely about the right size.
The versatility is really going to come from how you interpret your overall theme. As long as you have your own subjective interpretation of your subject matter, and you can justify it, then you definitely should have a sense of uniqueness in your pieces. And that subjective nature of your thinking would automatically translate to how you apply the oils that you use, your consideration of the formal elements and principles, and how you're eventually going to present all the canvases as a cohesive body of work

[Yendall]

In terms of the theme, it sounds like you have a solid grounding in what you're doing. If you have a strong understanding of the subject matter, and you can interpret that in your own unique way, then you're definitely on the right track.
Canvas size seems about right (don't quote me on that, I'm a photographic one-trick pony), not overly large but comparing it to stuff I saw in Top Arts this year, definitely about the right size.
The versatility is really going to come from how you interpret your overall theme. As long as you have your own subjective interpretation of your subject matter, and you can justify it, then you definitely should have a sense of uniqueness in your pieces. And that subjective nature of your thinking would automatically translate to how you apply the oils that you use, your consideration of the formal elements and principles, and how you're eventually going to present all the canvases as a cohesive body of work

Yes I think my canvas sizes are reasonable. At Top Arts this year there are quite a few large scale pieces, which was surprising. However, I saw a large amount of small sized pieces too.
I think the fact that I'm fusing a God with a creature shows versatility just in the design process itself. It kind of shows my use of imagination and research.
When I am focusing on my paintings, should I let the elements and principles of design flow naturally? Because I have been drafting pieces that have eye paths, proper alignments and relevant colours, given the nature of the pieces.
Another thing with canvas alignment, do we have to pretend we are hanging the pieces in a gallery when we present them at the end of the year? Do we take into account the height from the ceiling and the viewing distance?

Thanks for responding as well!

[MJay1993]

At Top Arts this year there are quite a few large scale pieces, which was surprising.

Guilty as charged!

Honestly, if you think the canvas size is appropriate for representing your subject matter in the best possible manner, then you're probably right. As long as you don't doubt that there's a different size that should work better, then you're fine.
Yeah it definitely sounds like you're on a unique pathway at the moment. From what I've gathered, mythology and the like are themes that are less addressed nowadays (in comparison to bygone eras), so that definitely helps your cause as well.
Well obviously you're going to have the potential directions from your first folio, so you're going to have to take those into consideration for your final pieces. Although definitely don't think you should be restricted to having to follow a regimented process as a result, be natural and let the work flow AS LONG AS it's relevant to what you want to present, and what the key concerns of your folio are. If it's a more representational kind of folio, obviously you're going to have to restrict the flowing, kind of abstract styles of painting. But just make sure that the style, whether free-flowing or otherwise, is suitable to what you're presenting.
You definitely need do. Not so much in terms of height from the ceiling/viewing distance (although addressing those two highlights how considered you're going to be with your presentation), but rather how all the different pieces are juxtaposed on the wall in relation to one another, the distance between each of the pieces and how they interact, lighting (if necessary) etc. Basically most considerations that exhibition designers would take into consideration for hanging works.

No problemo, if you need any help, I'm still on my uni break at the moment so I'd be able to give you a bit of advice if you need it.

[Yendall]

Guilty as charged!

Which was/were your piece(s)?

I think I have the right scaling, and my teacher agrees with me so I will keep it that way.
Could the fact that they are less addressed ultimately end up being less interesting and generic? Are the examiners looking for that 'modern art' abstract styling?
Basically my developmental folio was along the lines of experimentation of mediums and media, alongside a lot of metamorphic ideas and creature development (but not so much Gods). My teacher said that my Unit 4 ideas are relevant to Unit 3, but in a more logical sense rather then visual.
I have to present my pieces as two works, yes? Because I'm thinking of presenting them separately in different spaces. Maybe I will attach some flood lights, or regular lights to showcase the subject matter of each painting, I think that would add a completely different atmosphere, but only time will tell. I'll figure that out later in the year.

Okay great i'll be sure to keep in touch Thank you for your advice thus far!

[MJay1993]

Giant hyper-surrealish photo in the back right corner of the exhibition that talked about the typical teen angst issue of drug abuse Next to the amazing drawing of the guy's granddad.

Not necessarily. As long as you have what you want to bring from those potential directions in the back of your mind when you're creating your final pieces, then they should naturally be imprinted in those works, whilst . Actually, probably the word I was looking for was 'expressive' rather than 'abstract' (sorry about the confusion). Hopefully that makes more sense! But to answer your question, they're looking for uniqueness and an individual aesthetic really, rather than having to be confined to using modern/by-gone media and practices specifically and being solely influenced by others without having your own input.
I'm assuming your potential directions would've been the media that would help you to present your theme to the best of it's potential, so that's pretty straightforward. Just as long as you emphasise that logical progression in your Unit 3 and 4 folios, rather than assuming that the examiner will know what you're talking about (I was always told by my teacher that we're expected to treat our examiner as if they're clueless, so you have to explain everything that is necessary to them), then you'll be fine.
Well they can be presented together, but it has to be obvious that they are two separate pieces (could be easily identified by enough space between the two pieces in your final presentation). But considering the scale of the works, I reckon that two space idea does seem suitable. But yeah, stuff like lighting, whether you'll drape some coloured material on the wall to change it's colour, height etc. all needs to be explained in your folio.

Well I remember how tough it was for myself last year, so I thought I'd be a nice guy and give any people trawling through this section of VCENotes help if they need it

[Yendall]

oh yes i saw that one! very nice work. I saw that drawing of the granddad, and wow, so detailed!

Oh okay, I think that will be fine then. My conceptual possibilities do state through annotation what my aims are, so I guess my finals will compliment that. That's okay, I thought you meant that anyway!
I thought they'd be looking for uniqueness, but to my surprise a lot of work in Top Arts seemed overly familiar.
Okay, i will explain all of that in my Unit 4 folio. Just a question about the Unit 4 folio; to what extent do we have to present trials? are we showing physical development of the final pieces we are working on (eg. photos, sketches, medium trials)? or are we designing lots of different possibilities as a continuation of Unit 3, and then picking one and going with it? Because what I have done these holidays is draft 3/5 of my pieces, and they will ultimately be what ends up on my canvas. Do I need extra drawings to present my research/trial-and-error?

Well thank you, I greatly appreciate it It's a tough subject.