How to make collage | IN THE STUDIO

Introduction and Overview

In this section, Helena Mataferia introduces herself as an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City. She explains that she works across various mediums but has a particular affinity for collage. She discusses the tactile nature of collage and the joy she finds in cutting and ripping materials.

Helena's Background and Artistic Practice

• Helena Mataferia is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City.

• She works across video, performance, social practice, sculpture, but always comes back to collage.

• She loves working with her hands and enjoys the tactility of collage.

• Collage allows her to explore through material investigation.

Exploring Collage Techniques

In this section, Helena discusses the practice of collage and its origins. She mentions two artists from MoMA's collection who inspire her work - Hannah Höch and Romare Bearden. She emphasizes the importance of cutting, ripping, and composing images together in collage.

Understanding Collage

• Collage involves putting two disparate objects together to create something new.

• Traditionally, paper is used for collage, but other materials can also be used.

• Collage originated in the 20th century as artists integrated everyday materials like newspapers into their work.

Inspirations from Hannah Höch and Romare Bearden

• Helena draws inspiration from artists Hannah Höch and Romare Bearden.

• She explores how they use cutting, ripping, and composing images in their own source materials.

• Their techniques inspire her own practice.

Ideation Phase for Collage

Before starting a collage, it is important to go through an ideation phase. Helena highlights that collage allows artists to work directly with information and source materials that are interesting and compelling to them. She suggests using photographs, performance stills, magazines, or other readily available images as source materials.

Ideation Phase

• Collage allows artists to work directly with information and source materials.

• Choose materials that are interesting and compelling to you.

• Source materials can include photographs, performance stills, magazines, etc.

Cutting Techniques for Collage

Helena discusses different cutting techniques for collage. She mentions using scissors of various sizes or an X-Acto Knife. She also emphasizes the concept of cutting as a way to speak to the work itself.

Cutting Techniques

• Scissors of different sizes can be used for cutting in collage.

• An X-Acto Knife is another common tool for precise cutting.

• Hannah Höch used a kitchen knife in her collage work, which spoke to domesticity and gender roles at the time.

• Consider how the concept of cutting relates to your artwork.

Source Materials and Compilation

Helena talks about finding source materials for collage and how she organizes them. She mentions compiling folders of different images and labeling them meticulously. She highlights that being an artist is not a quick process but involves thinking over time.

Source Materials

• Find source materials such as books, advertisements, or prints that resonate with your artistic vision.

• Compile folders or physical boxes labeled with different archives and source materials.

• Over time, ideas will reveal themselves through the organization of these materials.

Working with Body Images in Collage

Helena shares her approach to working with body images in collage. She explains that she prints out her body in different scales to play with space and create a sense of distance. She also reflects on the misconception that simplicity in collage requires perfect cutting.

Working with Body Images

• Helena prints out her body in different scales for collage.

• Playing with space and creating a sense of distance is important.

• Simplicity in collage does not require perfect cutting; perfection can hinder creativity.

The Importance of Hands in Everyday Life and Art

The speaker discusses the significance of hands as tools in everyday life and how they can be incorporated into artistic work.

Incorporating Hands into Art

• Hands are one of the speaker's favorite tools, both in everyday life and in their artwork.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of hands in transforming everyday experiences into artistic creations.

Exploring Artists Hannah Höch and Romare Bearden

The speaker introduces two artists from MoMA's collection, Hannah Höch and Romare Bearden, who serve as inspiration for their own work.

Exaggeration in Art

• Hannah Höch and Romare Bearden are known for their tendency to exaggerate certain parts of the face in their artwork.

• The speaker is particularly interested in exploring how these artists use cutting techniques to rip apart and combine images from various sources.

• They highlight the use of kitchen utensils as a source of inspiration for incorporating everyday objects into art.

Ideation Phase before Creating Collage

Before starting a collage, it is important to go through an ideation phase to develop concepts and ideas.

Conceptualizing Collage Art

• Collage allows artists to directly add information and source materials that are personally compelling or interesting to them.

• The speaker suggests considering art history as a way to enhance collage work by integrating historical references into personal creations.

• Materials for collage can include photographs, performance stills, magazines, or readily available images.

Representation Challenges for People of Color in Art History

The speaker reflects on the lack of representation for people of color within art history and the challenges they face in taking up space in the art world.

Representation and Identity

• The speaker expresses frustration at the lack of representation for women and people of color in historical artworks.

• They question the chances of a black woman being able to make an impact in the contemporary art world.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding inspiration from those who have come before and made it possible for marginalized artists to exist.

Materials and Tools for Collage Art

The speaker discusses various materials and tools that can be used for creating collage artwork.

Wearable Components and Cutting Tools

• The speaker mentions using wearable components, such as boots or foil, as materials for collage art.

• Scissors are commonly used for cutting materials, while an exacto knife can provide more precision.

• They highlight how Hannah Höch used a kitchen knife in her collage work to explore domesticity and gender roles.

Exploring Books as Source Material

The speaker explores using books as source material for collage art.

Using Books in Collage Art

• The speaker finds images of books within Art News and Artforms magazines from the 1980s.

• They contemplate cutting up a book titled "250 years of African American art" to incorporate its content into their artwork.

• Foil may also be considered as a material to bring additional visual interest to collages.

Exploring Different Materials in Collage Art

The artist discusses the use of different materials in collage art and the importance of experimentation.

Working with Various Adhesives

• Different adhesives can be used in collage art, such as dry adhesives and cardboard.

• Anne Ryan's work is an example of using recycled materials in collage art.

• Experimenting with the medium allows for revealing the adhesive in the work and exploring different surfaces.

Choosing Archival Materials

• Carmen Winan's work demonstrates the use of photo paper and Canson paper in collage art.

• Archival materials like Canson paper are preferred for their longevity.

• It is important to consider the acidity and image quality of materials over time.

Using Tape as a Decorative Element

• Gaffers tape, Scotch tape, or blue painters tape can be used in collages.

• Romare Bearden's work showcases the use of Ebony Magazine and Jet Magazine as tape material.

• Double-sided tape can create a seamless look, while single-sided tape can add decorative elements.

Composition and Design Considerations

The artist discusses composition techniques and considerations when creating collages.

Thinking About Composition

• Composition is a crucial aspect of making collages but can also be challenging.

• Balancing elements and avoiding overcrowding is important for visual clarity.

• The choice between seamless or revealing adhesive depends on artistic intent.

Examples from Artists' Work

• Romare Bearden's busy compositions portray neighborhoods, reflecting chaotic urban life.

• Hannah Höch's work features singular figures with ornamentation around them, drawing attention to specific areas.

Creating Flat or Handmade Look

• Some artists prefer showing materials and how the artwork was made.

• Others aim for a flat, seamless background like Hannah Höch's work.

• The artist is interested in creating a landscape with a handmade touch.

Demonstrating Collage Techniques

The artist demonstrates the process of creating a collage using double-sided tape and glue stick.

Material Selection

• Different pieces of paper are chosen for the collage.

• Consideration is given to creating a flat or seamless look.

Using Double-Sided Tape

• Double-sided tape is used to attach the selected paper pieces.

• It allows for easy and quick application, speeding up the process.

Personal Preference for Handmade Look

• The artist prefers showing that the artwork was made by hand.

• A two-color palette is chosen to maintain simplicity and focus on composition.

Exploring Concept and Artistic Process

In this section, the artist discusses their concept and artistic process while examining their artwork.

Conceptualizing the Artwork

• The artist aims to create a new art world by incorporating Ethiopian American influences into their work. They explore various concepts and ideas during the creative process.

• Motifs resembling talismans and traditional Ethiopian traditions are incorporated into the artwork. The artist considers adding elements like three hands or a healing scroll to represent native Ethiopian culture.

• Wearable components are also important in the artist's work, such as using boots or other wearable objects in their paintings. They enjoy exploring how art can extend beyond the canvas onto the body.

Mixed Media Techniques

• The artist experiments with different surfaces for painting, often using watercolor paper that doesn't take water-based paint well. They enjoy incorporating texture, color, and shape into their artwork.

• Metallic surfaces like foil are considered for collage elements, inspired by artists like Anne Ryan and Hannah Höch who used foil in their own works. The artist aims to create a landscape-like composition with mountains using these materials.

• Adhesives play an important role in mixed media techniques. Wet adhesives like Elmer's glue or natural pH adhesives are used for attaching drawing elements, while dry adhesives like double-sided tack are employed for collage work.

Exploring Ethiopian American Influences

In this section, the artist discusses their exploration of Ethiopian American influences in their artwork.

Incorporating Talisman Motifs

• The artist incorporates motifs resembling talismans into their work, drawing inspiration from Ethiopian traditions. They consider adding elements like three hands or a healing scroll to represent native Ethiopian culture.

• These talismanic elements serve as symbolic representations and contribute to the overall concept of the artwork.

Wearable Components

• Wearable components play a significant role in the artist's work. They enjoy incorporating objects like boots or other wearable items into their paintings, exploring how art can extend beyond the canvas onto the body.

Experimenting with Mixed Media Techniques

In this section, the artist discusses their experimentation with mixed media techniques in their artwork.

Using Foil in Collage Work

• Inspired by artists like Anne Ryan and Hannah Höch, who used foil in their own works, the artist considers incorporating metallic surfaces into their collages. They aim to create a landscape-like composition with mountains using these materials.

Adhesives in Mixed Media

• The artist utilizes different adhesives for their mixed media techniques. Wet adhesives like Elmer's glue or natural pH adhesives are used for attaching drawing elements, while dry adhesives like double-sided tack are employed for collage work.

New Section

The speaker expresses their satisfaction with the direction they are going in.

Progress and Satisfaction

• The speaker states that they like where they are going with their current progress.