Get to know Sebastian Steed through three of his artworks:
Crushed/Uncrushed Coke Can
Crushed/Uncrushed Coke Can
This artwork represents the old and new aspects of my art coming together. The image is a photograph of an original work I created during my art studies. First I drew and coloured an uncrushed Coke Can by hand. I then crushed the can and drew it by hand with pencil and ink - I photocopied that image onto acetate and stuck it over the init
This artwork represents the old and new aspects of my art coming together. The image is a photograph of an original work I created during my art studies. First I drew and coloured an uncrushed Coke Can by hand. I then crushed the can and drew it by hand with pencil and ink - I photocopied that image onto acetate and stuck it over the initial image of the uncrushed can. I also added sections of coloured paper to give more distinction to the presence of the crushed can. Many years later, I digitally photographed the artwork and enhanced the colours and the background to produce a 'remastered' version. It has proven to be a popular print and one that is special for me as it marks the renewal of my journey as an artist.
Mouthpiece
Crushed/Uncrushed Coke Can
This screenprint is one of the first that I produced after a long period since the last ones I had made, so it was like starting afresh. The composition is based on a screenshot I took of a woman's mouth opened in what struck me as a pleasing and interesting shape. I then printed off the rather blurred image and outlined and coloured in t
This screenprint is one of the first that I produced after a long period since the last ones I had made, so it was like starting afresh. The composition is based on a screenshot I took of a woman's mouth opened in what struck me as a pleasing and interesting shape. I then printed off the rather blurred image and outlined and coloured in the main components of the mouth. I decided to add a thick, black outline around the mouth to give an appearance reminiscent of the lead came in stained glass windows. I then used an enlarged copy to create the stencils I required to turn it into a screenprint. Mouthpiece relaunched my screenprinting output which is why it has a special place in my portfolio.
Cordelia
Cordelia
Cordelia is a piece which has established what I'm aiming to achieve with painting; a bold, simple but intriguing style that sits between convention and unconventionality. The image comes from a photograph of a model on a beach. I copied the picture by hand onto canvas using a grid system. I then created stencils and applied the paint by
Cordelia is a piece which has established what I'm aiming to achieve with painting; a bold, simple but intriguing style that sits between convention and unconventionality. The image comes from a photograph of a model on a beach. I copied the picture by hand onto canvas using a grid system. I then created stencils and applied the paint by stippling in order to achieve the sharp and well defined lines which characterizes this work. As I didn't know the name of the model and she was photographed (with her consent) on a beach, I chose the name Cordelia as one meaning of that name is 'daughter or jewel of the sea". I then selected colours which matched or connected with that meaning or theme. The silver ink outline is inspired by the iconography of saints found in Orthodox Christian art. The structure and process of Cordelia will be the basis for other paintings planned and in development.