REBECCA APRYL BECKETT
ARTIST PORTFOLIO
In recent years, opinions on how we keep animals in captivity has changed in the western world. Berthold Lubetkin was influential in zoological architecture but disregarded the animals welfare in favour of the human audience. The Tecton structures at Dudley Zoo, London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo have become synonymous with the pioneering of the modernist movement in Britain. The Tecton Study I developed, was a photographic study exploring the boundaries that Lubetkin pushed. What should we do in terms of building conservation? Do we keep the historic importance alive for future generations, as well as serving as a memoir to Lubetkin? Or simply let them fall? These were the questions I aimed to answer with my Tecton Study (to view please visit https://isu.pub/f4Z6GJJ.) Throughout the project I used observational sketches, photographs, archives and graphic media to explore the questions posed.
Berthold Lubetkin talked of his days eating hyacinth bulbs during the Russian Revolution. The blandness of the flower bulb inspired this lino print, which was used to explore how the mundane can create intrigue using colour and pattern.
A Spiny Starfish nestled against the rocky seabed. The dimly lit sea bed makes a fantastic backdrop for the colours and textures explored in this image. The darker reds of the background contrast with the paler tones of the starfish ensuring it is the focus of the shot. This low lighting is authentic to how the underwater world is in Cornwall.
The distance from event to memory is often great and forgotten. Using distressed acetate layered over photographs I have added to the visual memory, depicting text from friends during my college exchange study.
Photo-microscopy allows you to capture structures too small for the naked eye, it is hidden architecture like stepping into a hidden world. Having to find the perfect focus and amount of light demands patience. When experimenting with photography in a lab my photographs felt like a portal to an abstract world. The mysterious shapes, textures and changing colours showcase unique beauty.
The wings of a butterfly as you already know are beautiful. Using a macro lens, you can see the shimmering scales resemble tiles, a structured mosaic. The iridescent hues shift in the light, each photograph taken is extraordinarily unique.
This image of a Cuphea Micropetala is somewhat of a happy accident. I took this during a trip to the Eden Project where I was experimenting with exposure, capturing this beautifully vibrant flower in what looks like a studio environment.
Mermaids Purse photographed in studio lab after being discovered on the Cornish shoreline. Backlit to enhance the creature inside, making this the focal point
Collection of 9 photographs taken in Skiathos, Greece at the Skiathos Cat Welfare Association. The charity at the time was facing eviction, meaning 200+ cats had no where to go. I volunteered for the first time in 2019 as a part of my independent practice module during my second year at university. This was my first chance to write my own brief and focus on an area close to my heart. My intentions were to show the softer side of the cat charity and detail the enjoyment in charity work, not the distress and emotional exhaustion felt by volunteers. Inspired by the simplicity of Marcel Heijnen’s work I aimed to offer a glimpse into the day to day life of founder, Sharon ElliotWinterburn (captured).
Combining my photographs and illustrations, I produced a series of postcards using photoshop.
By using minimalist design and primary colours such as red with black and white it creates a startling visual with a bold and direct approach, inspired by Lubetkins soviet heritage. Red is also the colour of the proletariat and is associated with the working-class revolutionary forces. Within my research of the structures, when visiting locations observational drawings were made to understand their shape and form.
I collaborated with a masters student to screen print and later photograph a project drawing awareness to the homelessness crisis in urban areas. After testing and successfully screen printing the chosen design I travelled to London to photograph these in-situ.
The blurred background draws the eye to the gaze of the young orangutan. Taking monochrome photographs of primates in captivity is intimate as they are so expressive and emotional. This photograph was captured on a Fujifilm XT-3 at Dudley Zoo and is part of a project which I am most proud of.
Through the window, Dudley Zoo.
We were tasked to present our photographs from the previous project in the form of a zine. I took influence from the Born Free magazine, my zoo images were collated and presented to represent this. This challenged my graphic skills and introduced me to the software InDesign. I enjoyed presenting my project in this format as the tactility of a magazine makes the images more striking when handling. Emotion is always present in my work and you can see this throughout the zine. Take the mother and daughter for instance, their love and care for each other is captured in abundance while they share a blanket. To view, please visit https://isu.pub/1rRYitS
