I managed to check out the Ellen Gallagher AxME exhibition at London's Tate Modern gallery before it ended at the start of this month. I left making plans about how I was going to find some time, somewhere, to indulge in one of my favourite creative pastimes – collage.
Why do I love collage so? It can be so many things at the same time: ornate and gritty, playful and provocative. For me, the process is quite cathartic – it forces me to relinquish control because, the end result is rarely close to what I expected or planned. Plus, I do like to get my hands dirty!
Here are some pieces from some artists whose work I'm enjoying …
All images above are by Ellen Gallagher (US)
Piece above by Wangechi Mutu (Kenya, US)
Collages by Lubaina Himid (Tanzania, UK)
Piece above by Mickalene Thomas (US)
A couple of pieces I made about 10 years ago. See more on my new Black White Simple portrait portfolio.
Any fellow collage lovers out there?
Images: Ellen Gallagher, DeLuxe series via hauserwirth.com (photo by D. James Dee) and oomk.net; Wangechi Mutu, Preying Mantra via brooklynmuseum.org; Labaina Himid via okmalume.tumblr.com (left) and cottonglobalthreads.com; Mickalene Thomas via artpulsemagazine.com.
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Related:
- Inspired by Jasmine Rose – an illustrator and designer who creates beautiful collages
- Inspired by Lubaina Himid's Kanga Paintings and Collage Portraits
- Who are Your Role Models – I share mine, including Wangechi Mutu
- Wangechi Mutu Love – A video with the artist
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