Name: Miles Smith

Occupation: Student 2nd Year: UCA Farnham

Artist Statement:

My artwork explores the ways in which nostalgia and human narrative are intertwined and how through using the nostalgic nature of media I can create new narratives and simulations merging reality and fiction. By studying ‘Narrative Pictures’, ‘The Psychology of Narrative Art’ and ‘Trappings of the Flesh and Bone’, I have learn’t how the human brain simulates and engages with the language of narrative and thus how to utilise this in my artwork. By focusing on the meta-textual space between reality and fiction I can utilise my understanding of media to create new narrative remixes in my work. By ensuring narrative engagement I can make my work form a believable narrative that links back to my previous work, coming full circle.

 

To achieve this I have experimented with character design in the medium of low-polygon, 3D models using Blockbench. This led to me using the language of video games within my work, reflecting the media that inspired it in the first place. I also experimented with bringing these elements into 3D through 3D printing bridging the gap between real and virtual. By using the language of established media in my work, I can create a narrative dialogue with the audience of the artworks, which will allow me to disseminate the intended or unintended narrative to this audience. To develop my work to get closer to this, I returned to experimenting with pixel art, as this would allow me to not only achieve a commercial level of quality in my work but allow me to explore the video game I would like to make for myself and therefore for my intended audience. I chose to use a website to disseminate my work, in the style of promotional websites I’ve seen in the past.