Formal Analysis

Brianna Blair

Formal Analysis

9/15/16

Jason Judd

Crumpled Series

Claire Ashley

2014-2016

Spray paint, acrylic, and sharpie on paper

Viewed at University Galleries’ Claire Ashley exhibit: Cawt, Taut, Hot…Not (September 6, 2016)

A Formal Analysis of Claire Ashley’s Crumpled Series

Claire Ashely’s Crumpled Series includes 6 pieces of crumpled paper that are all quite larger than an average piece of printing paper. They are arranged in a horizontal line, evenly spaced, a little above eye level. They are also held up by two pins on each top corner which lets them hang freely off the wall on the bottom. This piece does not seem like it is supposed to represent anything specific besides what it actually is-painted, crumpled paper.

The work is on a wall by itself, so your attention is really drawn to the piece for many reasons. The colors she used in this piece represent those of the rainbow. They are mainly pastel, but two of the pieces include cooler, darker tones. They all have a certain glow to them which makes them really pop on the white wall. Since she mainly uses spray paint, the colors almost overlap each other, causing there to be a blending of each color. Each piece of paper has different crimps or folds that add to the depth, color, and lighting of the pieces.

The depth in each piece of paper is created by the way she either folded or crimped them. The pieces with folds show geometric, trapezoidal shapes from the shadows that are cast from the light source that is above the piece. This causes those pieces to have a range of perspectives since they look lighter and darker in different areas based on the folds, and not only on the paint. If you look at part of the paper that is above the fold, it is lit very well, and then the part under the fold is darker. The straight and diagonal fold lines make certain pieces look very crisp and purposeful. The pieces that have been crumpled up have a different texture and depth to them. They resemble waves, or rocky figures, without any certain implied pattern. They seem more unintentional than the folded lines, but they still cast nice shadows causing the piece to a range in value. None of the pieces look flat, which is a direct outcome of the the light source above the piece, the fold lines that cast shadows, and the mix of misty colors. The combination of all these techniques causes the pieces to move individually. Some look as if they are rippling, while others look as if they are flickering back and forth almost like a flashing laser light show. Although these are pieces of paper, I would consider them to be a 3-Dimensional piece. There is such a range in texture, shape, and shadows, which causes them to stand off the wall as if they are wanting to be included into the rest of her 3-Dimensional exhibit.  

 All of these pieces work really well together because there is a sense of unity from the colors, and folding. While each piece looks similar to one another, they are all quite different. None of the pieces are symmetrical, causing them to be unique. The colors are all similar, but no two pieces of paper have exactly the same layout and position of the color. The same goes with the folds and crimps, because no two pieces are exact. This makes me believe that all of these pieces were somewhat a happy accident. I can see her having leftover paint, or more materials to use, then thinking “What should I do with this?” and creating this piece. Like most of her work, they have a liveliness to them. Although they are not the big, inflatable, soft rounded pieces, they still feel as if they are a key element to the exhibit. This piece is presented in the exhibit to give a refreshing alternative to her other works and to make you think and analyze differently than you would with the other pieces.

Claire Ashley's Crumpled Series (2016) at University Galleries

Crumpled Series not only caught my attention in the exhibit because it was different, but because it was a smaller work to view after being surrounded by the large inflatable sculptures. I was immediately drawn to this piece because it didn’t make sense to me in the beginning how this had to do with the human figure and motherhood like most of the other pieces. After analyzing the work and really focusing on the elements she used, I have come to realize that they do resemble elements of motherhood and the human body. While they are different and unique like every person, they show a sense of comfort and movement. The colors draw you in, and then the constant lines help your eyes move through the piece making you feel as if it is alive like you. Overall, I really enjoyed this piece, along with every other piece in the exhibit. Claire Ashley does a great job of creating something new and unique with simple pieces of paper and paint.