The Project began with the theme “Strength”. Since then it has progressed towards themes of Architecture, Urban decay and Urban landscapes. These new ideas still relate to the brief of strength as Urban landscapes can often be the strength behind a country – Socially and Economically. Furthermore, Architecture also relates to strength as it has an incredibly strong and crucial role to play in both society and the lives of individuals. Buildings – Private or Public play an enormous role in quality of life and development of a country.
One of the main themes I have explored in my portfolio is Urban decay. Focusing on areas like Tower Hamlets, Shoreditch and Camden with high levels of disrepair and decrepitude. This is shown through my choice of location and media. By doing a abandoned and derelict buildings in fine-liner, I can create the feeling of a detailed and rough Urban landscape. This theme is important to me as I have always had an interest in how and why areas can suffer from Urban Decay. Travelling has allowed me to experience these areas in locations like Mexico, Brazil and the USA. Fine-liners allow me to achieve this by giving the drawing a rough and dark result. The composition also has a big factor in achieving this look, The photos I take have a large emphasis on the foreground and take up a substantial amount of the page. This is done to give my art the sense of overcrowding and density that you often see in the inner city boroughs of London.
Along with Urban Decay and Urban Landscapes, my other theme is modern architecture. London has a very clear juxtaposition of modern and decrepit landscapes, all across the city you can see worn and aged infrastructure next to towering modern skyscrapers. My interest in modern architecture was then peaked during my time in Sydney – an immaculate and modern city. It was areas like Darling Harbour and the Rose Bay mansions that sparked my interest in creating my own designs. It wasn’t until I returned from Norway that I then started to create my own modern designs. Artworks made in this theme are usually made in smooth Inks and Pro-markers to give them a modern, distinct feel. These are usually custom architectural designs.