Art movements and isms.
Avant-garde art movements in the early 20th century,

• CUBISM,
• FAUVISM,
• DADAISM,
• DE STIJL,
• RUSSIAN CONSTRUCTIVISM,
• SUPREMATISM,
• FUTURISM,
• SURREALISM,
• EXPRESSIONISM,
• SYMBOLISM,
• IMPRESSIONISM.

Mood Board:

Mind Map/Mood Board:

Once I was given the theme of Union, I decided to brainstorm all the things that Union meant to me from what I could think about on top of my head (see my mind map) and then after research, I discovered that the British flag is called the Union Flag, and the Union Jack when flown at sea. So, I initially thought I would focus my project on the flag itself, made up of separate countries England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so thought I may do a study on how the separate identities of these countries are bound by union, but separate and how they’ve evolved over time.

I initially thought about marriage union, family, union in nature and other strands. Once I realised that the British flag was called The Union flag/The Union Jack and that this was a blend of countries and what they stood for, distinct but bound together, this gave me lots of idea to explore. 

I investigated what the individual flags were, how they blended together to create the Union flag, and where Jersey fitted in. I then focused on identity and looked at where I’m from but with British parents so I’m a blend – my roots are British even though I live in Jersey. There are separate parts that blend together but are distinctive and I found that very interesting. I played around with twisting flags together physically to photograph separately and bound, and experimented with frayed edges, flags draped around or under items, plus people standing in front of them symbolising the weight of history but the forward-looking view, nothing stands still. But from researching further with my all-British family, I asked them the following question and they filled in sheets of their answers ‘what does Britishness mean to you?’. This showed that there were many common themes but also some items which I didn’t realise were British (Marmite, London taxis, football, Pimm’s) and also themes which everyone said were British (tea, union flag and queuing). I quickly realised it’s not just objects or flags then that portray Britishness, it’s also a way of life, a feeling (hope, pride) and ways of expected behaviour (queueing, politeness, inventiveness, following the rules). Queuing and Tea-drinking were the most unexpected for me, I assumed everyone did that but found out that’s not correct.  A viral funny story on TikTok highlights the ‘The 3 O’Clock Tea Alarm’ and it was so powerful that many Americans believed it was real – that the British have to stop every day at 3pm and have a cup of tea – we are known for tea-drinking the world over. I also realised that the Union flag is everywhere – I hadn’t noticed it before but as soon as I did this project, I suddenly saw it on houses, public buildings, printed on bread bags, on carrier bags, we are a nation that are our proud of our flag and what it symbolises. I’ve even had it on the stairs wall at home from my sister who painted a picture of it aged 8 and it’s still there.

As I researched further, I realised how much of Banksy’s work involved iconic British symbols which challenge us to think differently eg. physically adding union flag bunting onto the image of child making it. (Sweat shop). He adds unexpected twists around the monarchy (the royal family) and the police. This led me to research everyday British scenes, finding meaning in ordinary objects like wheelie-bins and ice-cream vans or a traditional pub.

I also researched Andrew Scott, whose work plays with breaking boundaries of the frame, often breaking glass, the frame or burning it. This, as well as Banksy adding items to his images led me to experiment with a tea-bag string. Taking the most iconic British union of all – a cup of tea – and having the string escaping the frame showing tea-drinking is much more than the act of just drinking the tea.

I used my surrealist research and knowledge, together with the influence of Banksy’s and Scott’s unexpected approach to digitally add elements like the Union flag reflections into puddles or enhancing colours to reinforce the union flag colours. I also brought in subtle elements like humour into my work for example with Ice Cream on a Cloudy Day reinforcing the british people’s focus on the weather and our collective hope that it will get better.

This investigation shaped my projects into a personal portrayal of layers, leading to me presenting Britishness as a blended union of so many different elements.

Mind map Ideas:

When I was creating this mind map/mood board, I came up with ideas such as Nature/Environment which involve ideas such as, ecosystems, the ocean, forests and food chains. It also gave me ideas about, Animals/Birds which I could include ideas such as beehives, a flock of birds and a pack mentality. Also, it gave me ideas such as Trees, roots, trunks, growing, interconnected whilst also the sky, stars, planets and how they could all be in sync.

‘Union’, also gave me ideas such as Design, which include, reflections, symmetry, puddles, mirrors, glass, optical illusions, architecture, nature/flowers/petals, patterns/fabrics, faded-new, newspaper, royalty – cup of tea. Cities, rat race, motorways-connections.

It also gave me ideas such as Traditions/Religion which involve ideas such as, churches, temples, celebrations, weddings, birthdays, funerals, bar mitzvah – symbols, family getting together, (food, fun).

Next, I came up with ideas such as Human Relationships Connections – Friendships – Shared memories, long-life bond, old v new, then v now, shared cup of tea. Family – Mother & child, holding hands, embracing, hugging. Love – Marriage – Rings, symbols. Work – Life balance, colleagues, working together, (building a house).

Finally, it gave me ideas of Cultural ideas such as, Festivals – Christmas, Easter, Diwali. Protests – Climate action, farmers/tractors in London. National Identify – History of British Union – British Values, 3 countries -> 4. Union Flag – Union Jack – England/Wales+ Scotland + Ireland.

I will be taking multiple photographs of all the ideas I have mentioned above by going into the different environments, such as a forest/zoo for all the different groups of animals/flock of birds, flowers, trees, roots, petals and leaves. I will also be going around town/city life for the architecture, buildings, mirrors, glass, optical illusions and patterns on all of the walls/windows etc. I will be doing research on traditions trying to photograph some weddings or symbols that represent weddings, but also taking photographs of human relationships such as friendships/marriage, hugging, kissing, holding hands. Finally, I would be taking photographs of objects that involve the Union Jack, such as photographing any flag I see around in town, country-side, in shops, on items such as a cup of tea with the Union Jack flag which heavy represents Union Jack a lot as a cup of tea is a main focus point from the UK.