When I first tried monoprinting, I hated it, but as I’ve experimented with it more, I’ve grown to love the random creations that I blindly make.
As I was researching artists, I came across Christina Dervin and her medically inspired monoprints. I find it quite difficult to find monoprinting artists, especially ones that relate to my project. I love how the monoprints look like x-rays and try to portray feelings through the use of colour and facial position.
The monoprints that I tried in the style of Christina didn’t work out as well as I’d planned. They were either very faint as a whole or just part of it was visible and I think this was due to the fact I had to make these by using the ink that was leftover. It was a good experiment, however, I think the normal approach brings out better results so I probably won’t attempt at this again unless I felt my project needed it. Perhaps I could find another media to create x-ray style prints.
This first normal monoprints I tried were experimental samples trying to show the rigid yet natural movements of the rib cage.
Rib Function
As explained in the picture, the function of the ribs is to protect the lungs (and other organs) whilst allowing room for their expansion.
The first abstract one contrasts very much with the second one which is more rigid in its shape and portrays the idea of protection better. The abstract one provides a natural swinging movement in the disheveled lines which I think displays the function of expansion.
I wasn’t a fan of these studies at first because of the messiness, but I think they could be really useful in further studies for layering over the top of a detailed drawing to show movement.
A biblical theory I found interesting was about how Eve was made from one of Adam’s ribs and that’s why some people have an extra rib.
These were my favourite monoprints because the shape and form were really clear in these compared to the others.
Skeletons are interpreted as many things such as death, keys, secrets in cupboard, an outline of a plan and of course the use of it in a body.
I thought the idea of it being seen as a symbol of danger and death very interesting. Why is it that we see something that is inside us as scary? This is why I chose to use a red background and I definitely think it makes a difference in altering your perspective and makes it scarier than it is. On further reflection, I like to think it could also link to the human body because of red being the colour of blood.
When I juxtapose these two pieces next to each other, even though they are the same image, it really does solidify my idea of aposematism – the idea that an organism is dangerous because of their colour.
The one on the right was created on top of a sheet of acetate and I actually think it looks better held up to different surfaces rather than just a plain white background. I also thought it looked too busy and you couldn’t really tell it was a skeleton.
I decided to photoshop this study using image trace to get a clearer image.
Even after I’d image traced the first monoprint, I felt as though the skeleton wasn’t distinct enough from the background. I wanted the shape and form to be appreciated in this study, as for us to function properly, we need our skeleton to form particular shapes. I think this is portrayed in my adapted design where I altered the shade value of the background to make the skeletal contours stand out.
Hopefully, people will see this study and see the skeleton in a non-dangerous light and instead will appreciate the configuration of this complex structure.
My final monoprints were formed from my reflection and research of Shannon Rankin. In this study, I looked at skull sutures and the idea that the skull is a set of pieces in a jigsaw.
This informed me to choose a different type of paper to print on. I managed to find part of a sewing pattern with the shapes of the garment in order to represent the puzzle element.
At the same time, I had been doing a little research on the evolution of the skull so I thought it was appropriate to include a study based on how much the shape has changed.
This study was also one of my favourites as I was able to actually show the sutures on the skull and it looks like the skull is made from many parts like a puzzle.
The final study was my final attempt at trying to master Christina Dervin’s x-ray technique. I used a brush to draw into the ink and printed on top of it, but it still did not create a piece of work I was happy with.
Overall I really liked creating the monoprints and despite a lot of my prints not working out, the ones that were successful, portrayed my concepts and meanings that are important for my project of function.
Viktoria Collins UAL FMP 