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Unconventional Portraiture : 3rd Artist

Unconventional Portraiture : 3rd Artist

  1. Bernard Pras
  2. Bernard Pras is a French artist who creates exceptional instillation portraits out of objects he finds around and about. If you were to take a quick look at one of his pieces it would probably look like carefully arranged junk but as soon as you stand at the right angle a complete portrait forms, almost out of nowhere. Pras often uses plastic waste, packs, old pills, boxes, toys, musical instruments, dolls and household object to make his portraits. He assembles his portraits by carefully selecting objects in size and colour.

I am an English multidisciplinary artist raised in London and refined in New York. I am constantly inspired by urban life and youth culture. The curious, enigmatic and often provocative elements of both urban life and youth culture help to fuel my work. In a sense the two are ever changing, innovating and growing, something I can relate to with my creative practise. I often pursue my projects down a political route and equality based themes, raising eyebrows and having people question themselves where I can. To Quote Banksy “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable”. Perhaps due to my English upbringing where sarcasm and self depreciation is a first language and my straight to the point nature has enabled me to dig deep into problems of our culture. Much of my work is in the form of social commentary. Including issues of racism, sexism, mental health and feminism. “Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change - it can not only move us, it makes us move” - Ossie Davis Being an Integrated design major has allowed me to explore many pathways as well as hone in on my strengths as an artists. The mediums in which I steadily shift between and frequently combine are fashion design, photography, styling, graphic design, documentary film and art. I like to go back to the routes of my practices wether it be working by hand or using analogue cameras in stead of digital as it installs me with a sense of fulfilment and an appreciation for the past. Though this may be my mantra I do not allow it to limit me. For example digital experimentation, most notably my mixed media work. In my process I am much of a documentarian as I like to see things through from beginning to the end, allowing myself to be at either ends of a garment or accessory’s timeline . In my photography and styling practices and I a keen collaborator and relish in any opportunity to work with a fellow artist or designer. Having Grown up in two of the fashion capitals of the world my senses have been heightened to sustainability and ethical practise with in the fashion and arts world. The pressures of being a Gen Z artist and designer having to fix the mistakes of those before us, creates non stop challenges. But what is art, if you're not challenged by it?

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