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Object Stories

The group used found objects to tell stories linked to an image in the collection. We used the example of the teapot and landscape below to develop ideas based around nostalgia, childhood and aging. This story resulted in us thinking about daydreaming and seeing images in the clouds to represent thoughts or desires.


Using this technique we deconstructed an image by pulling out the descriptive and emotive information from it and finding links with the found object. We then made images to represent the stories and how they could become interpretations of the initial image.

Reflections on Maquettes

Through studying the maquettes and the ideas that came out of them, I compiled a short list of relevant works to be used as inspiration or a way of contextulising the ideas within the art world.

Using Modern British works, the group expressed an interest in archives, global and national perpectives, beliefs, and anatomy, all of which can have relevance to the Modern British era and Restless Times.

In response to David's Family Tree I selected work by Christian Boltanski with reference to photographic portrait archives.


Joe's sign and its reference to life paths led to ideas about beliefs and thought patterns expressed in Jenny Holzer's Truisms.


The suitcase was interesting in form and concept and suggested ideas about journeys and archives, or the two intertwined, both of which are aparrent in Susan Hiller's work.


Peggy and Martha's group worked from La Plage and discussed thoughts of isolation, loneliness and disenfranchisement. Their doll with taped mouth reflected elements of work by Hannach Hoch and Hans Bellmer, relating as much to the artists' experiences as the work. The medical motif in Bellmer's work also references wartime surgeries.

What is Creative Interpretation?

This session focused on creative interpretation to relate the work we were creating back to the collection. The group worked in pairs to break down an image into descriptive and emotive influences and then compared these with a second image. Using this information, they each created a small maquette using found objects and sculptural materials.

Continuing on from their work on silhouettes with Faisal, we also looked at the works of Tim Noble and Sue Webster followed by Arman's 'Dustbin' project. Both works use discarded objects to question the idea of identity. We used these images to create our own character silhouettes using found objects.