Gargie Deore

“As an artist, before entering IB SL visual art, I had always enjoyed drawing. When I emerged out of my comfort zone, I explored more about myself and found the painter in me. It was then that my artwork developed further ideas. Initially, I started with tribal art as my main idea and quickly found out many other ideas also revolve around it. During my research in the artwork, I learned more about the cultures of India, Africa, and Italian culture. My artwork demonstrates a variety of media such as acrylic paint, oil paint, oil pastels, clays, etc. However different in style, application, and media, they are similar in that they all use the elements of art, color, shapes, and culture. I have used these elements in different ways throughout my artwork.”

Gargie Deore Journal Page

Warli Painting

Medium: Acrylic
Size: 45.72cm x 60.96 cm & 18”x24”

My first artwork illustrates Indian tribal art. It represents the daily cultural activities of the people within the Warli tribe in Mumbai, Maharashtra. I have had prior knowledge and experience of the subject that I selected as it is part of my Indian culture. Warli Painting uses symbolism to depict everyday life within the tribe. The element of shape is used as patterns in my painting. Specifically, triangles are the significant geometric shape in this artwork.

Mural Painting

Medium: Plywood, Acrylic Paint, Porcelain Clay
Size: 45.72cm x 60.96cm & 18”x24”

Mural Painting is an example of a mural as it was painted onto a wooden surface. It also has three things in common with my last work of art. What are the tribal people, the elements of color and shape along with the use of symbolism? This artwork represents African tribal symbolism because the colors used show African customary dress and the environment they live in. Most lived in the forest and served as hunters and gatherers.

String Art

Medium: String, Wood
Size: 45.72cm X 40.64cm X 40.64cm & 18”X16”X16”

String Art is weaving colored string, between hammered nails to make geometric patterns. The principle of design represented in this work is a pattern. I have shown patterns through different strings woven together. I was inspired by the string art created by Mary Everest Boole. Similar to her, I have a fondness for learning and mathematics. Through investigation, I found that she used her art as a way to make math easier to understand. I enjoyed this project the most because I like to do three-dimensional works of art.

Shapes, Shades & Color

Medium: Canvas, oil pastels
Size: 45.72cm x 60.96 cm & 18”x24”

Shapes, Shades & Colors is a non-objective, geometric, oil pastel drawing. This work of art is a form of abstract art that uses geometric shapes such as squares, triangles, rectangles and circles. As art shape became more & more connected to the world in the 20th century, geometric abstract gradually gained in popularity that movement known as the Abstract Expressionism. I was inspired by the work of Wassily Kandinsky who was known for abstract art.

Tints, Tones and Shades

Medium: Canvas, Oil Paint
Size: 45.72cm x 60.96 cm & 18”x24”

Tints, Tones & Shades is an oil painting on canvas. The value scale is a system of organizing values and is used by artists to show depth and dimension. It consists of values ranging from white to black, with several shades of gray in between. Value is relevant to me because it helped me to learn more about mixing and blending colors. A tint is a color plus the white. A tone is a color plus grey and shade is a color plus black. For Tints, Tones & Shades, I studied the artwork of Piet Mondrian who illustrated variations of color and value in his artwork.

Shapes with Umbrella

Medium: Umbrella, Acrylic
Size: 56.642cmX102.87cm & 22.3”X 40.5”

Shapes with Umbrella is the three-dimensional project that uses acrylic paint on an umbrella. I selected the umbrella for to reason to work with different medium artwork as to explore different types of mediums used in the different parts of world. The umbrellas in China which are still handmade in some parts and two as shapes and colors are the themes of my artwork umbrella has a different and its own shape to it. The umbrella was initially discovered for women 4000 years ago as the style. It was discovered in China. A different type of umbrella used for prevention from the sun is the parasol.

Jal Mahal

Medium: Digital Piece with Threads.
Size: 45.72cm x 60.96 cm & 18”x24”

Identity was the inspiration for this project. The different color symbolizes the differences that I experience in different parts of my life after I moved to the US. The strings show how I still tried to keep everything balanced and connected. I chose this piece because it was a picture I took from Rajasthan, India. Rajasthan is a state known for its Architecture. This stands in the middle of a lake and was constructed back in the 18th century to resolve the water problems. This piece compliments my other artworks because of the strings and the colors used.

Ganesha

Medium: Clay, Paint, Cloth
Size: 5 1/2” X 3 1/2", 13.97cm X 8.89cm

This piece is also culture-related and uses symbolism. Each part of his body symbolizes something. For example, his tusk refers to indifference and detachment. There are of Ganesha eight types and they are located in 8 cities of Maharashtra in India. One fascinating thing about Ganesha is that it could be made out of anything. His birthday is marked as a festival in India. I decided to do this piece because I wanted to go back to my roots and work with a different medium.

Read Full Curatorial Rationale

“Through my travels, experiences, and personal values, I have developed an exhibition reliant on my appreciation of architecture. I have portrayed this theme in numerous ways such as enhancing structural elements, placing focus on detail and pattern, developing space and form, exploring the unification of various media and by personal interpretation. My body of work incorporates a varied application of media ranging from charcoal and conte crayon drawings, to rope and ceramic sculptures as well as linocuts and acrylic on canvas, digital edits and mixed media collages. Though my media varies, I have maintained a cohesive body of work through a neutral color palette, originating from burnt sienna tones, attempting to portray an organic body of work. I began this course with a passion for architecture and photorealism, both of which have influenced a number of my pieces. While at first personal photographs were the basis of my art-making process, since then I have expanded my repertoire to appreciate the design and purpose of architecture and the culture that coincides.”

Lydia Robinson Journal Page

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Medium: Charcoal on Charcoal Paper
Size: 60.96x45.72cm / 24x18in

Being the first piece, it was originally inspired by the Sunday River Covered Bridge in Newry, Maine. Taking inspiration from Henri Matisse, I used the charcoal to create rough textures of wood and a sense of daytime on the bridge. To achieve photorealism, the one-point perspective and considerable depth in the drawing bring the image to life, as if it were a snapshot of the moment. I wanted the bridge to be a darker structure, leading the eyes to the contrasting space.

Tied Together

Medium: 5mm 3-ply Natural Cotton Rope & Birch
Size: 111.76x132.08cm / 44x52in

Moving to the second work of art in this series, inspiration was drawn from the recent revival of European macrame techniques. This handcrafted art, dives deep into the complicated patterns and designs created by intricate knotting techniques. As each connects to another, a sense of structure is formed in its own fashion. The connection parallels the structure of architectural buildings, but can also be perceived in alternative ways.

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Medium: Akua Ink on Book Binding Board
Scale: 71.12x12.7cm / 28x5in

Beginning my second year, I approached this piece intending to branch out to a more expressive style, though tying my work back into my architectural theme. By taking a personal sketch from the beaches of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, I have developed an abstract viewpoint of architecture which highlights the original structure of my image, while also portraying dimension and form in a two-dimensional process.

Overgrown

Medium: Ceramic Clay, Wire, and Rope
Scale: 16.51x21.59cm / 6.5x8.5in

For this piece, I took on the task of basing my work off of the word “destruction”. In relation to my theme of architecture, the first idea that came to mind was my observation of destroyed and abandoned buildings that become overgrown with weeds and vines. Though buildings may not be used anymore, they serve a new purpose to the plant life. In my piece I aimed to achieve this idea, that not all ruined in bad. Destruction can be beautiful.

Tunnel Vision

Medium: Digital Editing and Collaging
Scale: 19.05x24.13cm / 7.5x9.5in

My intention for this work was to explore the area of mixed-media. In doing this, I was still able to relate my work to each of my previous pieces. Tunnel Vision is composed of four digital edits, layered atop one another developing a perspective looking inside the work. My goal for this piece was to enhance my perspective on life. The archways indicate stages I must enter and pass through. Text, throughout each image reflects my characteristics and qualities needed to pursue my path of life.

Piece By Piece

Medium: Watercolor, Crayon & Linen Twine
Scale: 50.8x50.8cm / 20x20in

This piece was inspired by the ribbed vaults of Gothic Architecture, similar to my previous explorations. In opposition to my previous work, I aimed to explore an abstract style with the use of water color. In order to depict my interpretations of the ribbed vaults, I utilized the repulsion of wax and watercolor, overlaying each design with wax, then painting freehand strokes overtop. Though different, I have continued to feature burnt sienna hues, varying the shade and tone on each panel.

Out of Order

Medium: Conte Crayon on Black Bristol Board
Size: 22.86x71.12cm / 9x28in

For this work I utilized conte crayons and architectural drafting skills to construct a two-dimensional column. Inspired by columns in Greek and Roman architecture, this piece is a combination of three different architectural orders; Doric, Roman, and Ionic. Three styles creates a sense of unity, where more than one element is needed for completion. I chose to illustrate the column with conte crayons due to their burnt sienna color palette, and ability to incorporate a neutral color.

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Medium: Charcoal and Water on Watercolor Paper
Size: 45.72x60.96cm / 18x24in

This charcoal drawing, created through a combination of water concentrated by charcoal, was inspired by the left corridor of the Duke Chapel. Photorealism was used to portray the image just as a photo would. The use of charcoal and water provides a unique combination of contrast and tones which contribute to the overall Gothic structure of the chapel, designed by architect, Julian F. Abele. Greater attention to detail allowed me to enhance lines and the overall structure of the chapel.

Radiation

Medium: Acrylic on Burlap Canvas
Scale: 2 @ 25.4x25.4cm / 10x10in

A part of my fascination in architecture lies in the intricate design within buildings. Having focused on the structural elements in architecture, this piece led me to focus more on the art within. Pulling designs from Buddhist mandala rituals and Gothic architecture, I created my own design to understand the deeper process and meaning in the placement of support in buildings and religions through geometry.

Skeletal Ceiling

Medium: Digital Photographs with Digital HB Pencil Overlay on Stretched Canvas
Size: 4 20.32x25.40cm / 8x10in

I found inspiration for this piece in one of my visits to The Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. It was the ceiling that caught my attention through the intricate detail drawing my eyes to the very center of the grand space. Using a personal photograph of the cathedral, I used digital softwares to convert the image to black and white. ProCreate was used to sketch an overlay on the rib vaults of the ceiling to enhance the structure and the underlying design within.

As part of the program, students visited museums, including The Rockwell, to study and draw inspiration for their own works of art. In addition, students kept a detailed journal to record their project research and write, develop and sketch their ideas. The program provides a holistic arts experience, providing them a broader sense of the many facets of the professional art world. 

The IB Diploma Programme encourages students to challenge their creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and gaining confidence as art-makers. The notion that art is an integral part of everyday life, permeating all levels of human creativity, expression, communication and understanding is emphasized as a core element throughout the two-year program experience.

The Rockwell is pleased to host this exhibition virtually and support local students who want to pursue studying visual arts in higher education as well as those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through the arts.