Ice Breaker Challenge/ Recreating an Artwork

The first ice-breaking task was to get into groups of two and reproduce known artworks. Together with Piotr, we chose "Whistler's Mother" painting by James McNeill. We started the work by setting up the background. We chose a blue paper towel for the hands as the main material because of the similar colors. Then, in the box with materials, we found a black dress and scraps of blue material, which we decided to use as details. Black paper was used as the bottom of the background. Then we chose a chair as the foreground decorations and a cardboard box as a footstool.

The next step was to have professional make-up done by a local professional, that is me. We used acrylic farms as a color palette, which we mixed together until a satisfactory effect was achieved. Cosmetic version of IKEA.

As a costume, we used black leather material, a blonde wig, and two pieces of white lace, which we used as a head cover and accessories for the hands. 

I think we managed to keep it similar to the original through the colors and details such as the footstool and the painting on the wall. Also, the expression of the model - Piotr, was perfectly reproduced with the original.

 I consider it a success to choose our target image as a background element. a fun detail that captures the spirit of this assignment. Unfortunately, we missed one detail, or more precisely, the position of the head cover, which should be more to the side, but in our work, it is in front of the torso.

A few words about the artwork " Whistler's Mother" painting by James McNeill"

The original version of this artwork can be seen in Paris, at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown with the Musée d'Orsay. Interestingly, it is the first American work that was bought by the French state and today it remains one of the most important American works outside the country. As for interesting facts from the life of the title character. Whistler's Mother, Anna Whistler, gave birth to five sons, but only William and James lived to adulthood. (Schieldahl, 2015)

References:

Schjeldahl, P. (2015) Why is ‘Whistler’s mother’ so iconic?, The New Yorker. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/08/31/moms-home (Accessed: 11 January 2024).