Modify Schmidt
Central Coast Grammar School
ALL SMILES
Time-Based Forms
Digital 2D animation
My body of work examines the experience of discovering, and indulging in, what makes you happy – a happiness that you don’t feel the need to mask. The journey of K (the cat character) represents my own experience of struggling to fit into societal standards during childhood as my interests were very different to many others my age. My intention in using differing art styles in my work was to inspire other artists to experiment with their own style.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Andy Arkley, Shag (Josh Agle), Rob Renzetti, Jhonen Vasquez, Charuca Vargas, Paul Frank, Felix Colgrave.
Marker's Commentary
All Smiles is a time-based animation that captures the joy, fun, struggles and confusion of growing up. The story follows the cat character, ‘K’, searching for love and identity whilst navigating the reality of conforming to a ‘normal’ life. This sophisticated body of work unabashedly embraces and appropriates the Bemani and Pop’n music styles of Japanese arcade games and music. The Bossa nova remix music, feminised cat character, cute cartoon graphics and grain filters all contribute to the upbeat pop influences associated with Pop’n music. Whilst quite niche and whimsical in its subject matter, the work cleverly represents the student’s world, personal commentary and interests in a confident and knowing way.