Completed Paintings: 'Dystopia 1 & 2', For Rushey Mead Academy, Leicester

'Dystopia 1', Acrylic On MDF, 172 cm X 122 cm, 2018

As I've mentioned previously, one of the most enjoyable aspects of my employment as a secondary school Art Technician, is the occasional chance it affords to generate original artwork for the institution.  Here are the latest results of that process.

'Dystopia 2', Acrylic On MDF, 172 cm X 122 cm, 2018

'Dystopia 1 & 2', Rushey Mead Academy, Leicester, November 2018

In the process of installing these panels, adjacent to the school's main Reception - I also produced an information panel to accompany them.  So, instead of blithering on at length, I'll include that text here.  It pretty much tells you everything you need to know.

‘Dystopia’ Panels

Based on Work by RMA Students, Heena Kumari Naratomo &

Nelakson Anthonystan

In 2017-18, Year 7, 8 & 9 Art students undertook a major project on the theme of ‘Dystopia’.  Those working with Miss Chhana considered how, in the future, our physiology and thinking might be affected by digital and cybernetic technologies.  Students explored visually the ways in which technology increasingly merges with our lives; whether we will control the machines, or they – us; and if bio-mechanics really is the next stage in human evolution.  Above all, they were asked to reflect on whether current assumptions on the matter might spell a utopian, or dystopian future. These issues, and the ethical considerations around them, will clearly affect the lives of our students’ and their children.

Starting from a self-portrait photograph, each student developed a final piece in which their face or profile became incorporated into a composition of patterns, shapes and mechanical motifs - all with a strong ‘Techno’ or Science Fiction feel.  Strong, graphic line-work was used - often over more freely-painted backgrounds, or with areas of applied collage.

The panels you see here were painted during 2018, by Art Technician, Hugh Marwood - working directly from final pieces made by students, Heena Kumari Naratomo, (L.) and Nelakson Anthonystan, (R.).  Only very minor changes were made in the process, and the large paintings remain very faithful to the original student designs.

Nelakson Anthonystan, 'Dystopia 1' Original Artwork, Fibre Pen
On Paper, 29.7 cm X 21 cm, 2018

Heena Kumari Naratomo, 'Dystopia 2' Original Artwork, Fibre Pen,
Watercolour & Collage On Paper, 29.7 cm X 21 cm, 2018

As you can see, this was pretty much a translation job, as the students' original designs were so powerful, and only needed a minimum of tidying-up and tightening.  All the real decisions had already been made, long before I got involved.  That meant the execution of the actual panels was essentially just a therapeutic technical exercise for me - involving a bit of projection, and lots of lovely methodical brushwork.  Really, what's not to like?

So, thanks should of course go to the two students concerned; to my colleague, Sheetal Chhana - for making it all happen in the first place; and to the School management for sanctioning and funding the production of the finished panels.

There are certainly worse ways to earn my daily bread...