John Stezaker- Whitechapel Exhibition

John Stezaker, Opening image

Image/ garment distortion has always been an effect I like achieving either in the presentation or the generation of an image or idea. John Stezaker has showed me many other ways to distort and represent an outcome by simple cut and paste. Naturally, with the use and development of technology, I have slowly forgotten about this 1000 year old technique (well not quite forgotten, but you know what I mean). 

The idea of collecting images and combining them together is not new to me, but composing the 2 very different concepts to recreate the original image and form is a first. It so clever how he can see resemblance in 2 pictures, combine them together to then give slight hints and indication of its original beauty . Minimalism is what Stezaker shouts out. It does not have to be tricky and scientific, just a simple slice can too make something carry so much meaning.  To me, though his work seems very quiet, mysterious and calm, I think there is a lot of violence and anger in him. To deface a character and remove their identity is quite disturbing. Several series of his work, he even slices through the eyes of the portrait – as if he wanted to shut its vision off

the world.

After reading Guardian article about this exhibition, Brian Dillon seems to see the same thing.

‘’That’s not to say that there isn’t a degree of knowing distance- and a strain of disturbing violence- in Stezakers work’’

John Stezaker, Mask collection



John Stezaker, Marriage series



Hording is one action which I’m sure everyone experience in their life. The way we use our collectables and treasures is very representative of our upbringing- could I play with this idea in my work just like Stezaker did?

‘’ The distance – inflected with nostalgia and absurdism- is essential, because one of the things Stezaker is engaged in is a daring rescue of  images from the memory dump of the recent past’’ Brian Dillon

‘’ As a student, he happened on a photograph in an old medical textbook that showed a woman's face half eaten away by a rodent ulcer – inside and outside had become horribly confused. Stezaker closed that book with the thought that he must never look at it again, but in other ways he has not stopped looking since.’’ Brian Dillon, John Stezaker: What a carve up, 29 Jan 11

I found this exhibition so inspiring on how images can be collaged and distorted to carry a story. After further reading, it has made me even more inspired to how I can use my past experience to generate thoughts and ideas positively and negatively. Can I do the same with my work? What other methods can I use to distort my sketchbook and mind yet representing me and my working concept?