George Alkhoury
Bossley Park High School
CLAMOROUS INCOGNITO OF THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND
Ceramics
Earthenware Clay
My body of work investigates the devastating effects of war and displacement on the human psyche, drawing on my personal experiences of fleeing the Syrian conflict. The sculpted forms represent the depths of the unconscious mind while the title refers to the concealed and chaotic aspects of our inner world. The malleability of clay invites the audience to engage on a sensory level, and expresses the ever-changing nature of thought and emotion. It is a tactile metaphor for the mysteries within us, to encourage contemplation of our own consciousness and meditation on the human experience.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Albert Tucker, Arthur Boyd, Michael Lang, Jérôme 'Trez' Oudot.
Marker's Commentary
These figurative artworks depict the representation of both two-dimensional relief and three-dimensional sculptural works that explore the art making practice of ceramics. The student has utilised a cohesive colour palette to depict concepts linked to despair and uncertainty when experiencing sudden change, upheaval or trauma-based experiences. Signs and symbols used throughout the work communicate how emotions such as fear, despair and anguish can transform the physical body. The body of work invites the audience to consider personal experiences in reality, while discovering the unconscious mind, and blurs the relationship between the two. The tactile surfaces invite a sensory experience, as well as a visual connection to feelings of uncertainty when experiencing traumatic experiences. The practice evidences a very confident investigation in the expressive use of the clay medium to represent the inner mind.