Oh My God, It Must Be Collage
Deer friends,
This week, I'm excited to share a piece that’s a step outside my usual style, and is also a piece that I had to go digging in the archives for. This week’s release, "Oh My God," is a collage born from a mix of vintage and modern magazines, loosely inspired by Kevin Morby's album of the same name. It's a departure from my usual drawn/painted art, celebrating the loose, surreal style of collage and my love for nostalgia. I made this piece in 2019, and it was actually a project from a drawing class. Barely a project even, as I think the purpose of this was really more of a creative warmup, but I’ve held onto it since and have always wanted to share it on a larger scale.
In this week’s newsletter, we'll explore the world of collage, mixed media, and untraditional art forms. We'll also dive into the influential work of Hannah Höch, a pioneer in the Dada art movement, and, you guessed it, an artist fluent in the medium of collage.
Here’s the latest print:
Oh My God
mixed media collage, 2019
Allow me to introduce a collage piece that's been tucked away in my archives since 2019. I’m a very nostalgic person and hold onto every piece I’ve ever made. Sometimes a project remains tucked away for years and then I come across it again and feel as though I’m looking at it for the first time. As an artist and designer, my worst trait is staring at something I’ve made for so long that I end up hating it. I need to step away from the project for a time and return with fresh eyes to avoid scrapping it all together.
In a slightly cheesy way, this work is a testament to the power of rediscovery. I've recently become very interested in collage and mixed media, and found this tucked away last week. It’s one of two collage pieces I’ve ever made, so not at all in line with my usual style. But lately I’ve been feeling an urge to completely reinvent myself, my art style, everything. So we’ll take baby steps and start with this collage print release. Inspired by Kevin Morby's album of the same name, "Oh My God" embodies a departure from my usual artistic style.
This piece, comprised of vintage and modern magazine clippings, is a celebration of the unexpected and an invitation to embrace the untraditional in art. "Oh My God" has been tucked away in my portfolio for years, and now, I'm excited to share it with you. It's a reminder that creativity knows no expiration date, and sometimes, the most remarkable pieces are those we hold onto for just the right moment. Buy the print here.
On to the next…
This week's inspo roundup is a celebration of the art of collage, the allure of mixed patterns and textures, and the magic of funky color combinations. I think that the more eclectic and unexpected spaces, outfits, and art are, the more uniquely personal they become.
This week’s collection features mixed media in all its forms. In fashion and home decor I’m spotlighting artists, creators, and designers who push the limits of what “goes together” by pairing harsh modernity with soft vintage styles, and proving that it can absolutely work. Here we can see spaces that come alive with a riot of colors, patterns, and textures, reflecting the individuality of their owners/creators. Whether it's in your wardrobe, your living room, or your latest art project, this week's inspo roundup is a testament to the power of embracing the untraditional, where every element tells a story and adds a touch of personality to your style. Check out the full inspo board here.
This week’s inspo:
This week I’m highlighting:
Hannah Höch, Collage, and Dada
In this week's artist spotlight, we're looking at the mixed media and collage work of artist Hannah Höch, whose innovative artwork and unconventional approach led her to become a a key figure in the Dada art movement of the early 20th century. Höch pushed the boundaries of art, dismantling traditional norms and opening doors to new forms of expression.
Blending the Uncanny
Höch's artistic journey was marked by her exploration of mixed media. She had a remarkable ability to merge elements from diverse sources, including magazines, newspapers, and photographs, into cohesive and thought-provoking compositions. Much like the examples from the inspo roundup, the high contrast in both subject matter and medium is what makes her pieces so striking. One of her iconic pieces, "Bouquet of Eyes," exemplifies her uncanny knack for blending contrasting elements.
Much like Höch's broader oeuvre, challenges viewers to see beyond the surface, to unravel layers of meaning, and to embrace the unexpected. She repurposed images and text from mass media in her art as a way to critique pop culture, the failings of government, and the social construct of women’s roles. Her use of found objects and imagery paved the way for the collage art we know today, emphasizing the transformative power of combining the familiar in novel ways.
Pop Culture and Media Clippings
Hannah Höch is known for her incorporation of pop culture influences into her work by way of mixed media and collage. She dissected and reassembled the visual language of her time, commenting on gender roles, politics, and societal norms. Höch's works are a testament to the notion that art can be a powerful tool for social commentary and a mirror reflecting the complexities of the human experience.
A Catalyst for Change
Höch's impact extends beyond her technical ability and innovative techniques. Her work, often infused with feminist themes, dared to question societal constructs and traditional gender roles. In an era marked by change and upheaval, Höch's art served as a bold feminist statement. Her exploration of the female form, identity, and the representation of women in art challenged prevailing norms and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. She utilized her work as a way of shaping cultural discourse.
She was also a pioneer in challenging the conventional narrative of art history. Her provocative artistic endeavors remind us that art isn’t just a reflection of society, but also a catalyst for change.
This is the first newsletter since switching to a bi-weekly schedule, and I’m excited to be able to go a bit deeper with the inspo roundup and artist highlight, having a bit more time to curate each post. I hope that you all enjoy this week’s print release. I really enjoy mixing it up and sharing both new and old work. It allows me to reflect on my work and how its changed over the years, as well as reflect on subject matter and medium in a way that I don’t really think about in my day to day.
It’s nice to stop and remember that in art, as in life, breaking boundaries and embracing the unexpected can lead to the best outcomes, or at least the more exciting ones.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating,
Morgan