Ken Currie - Expressive Points Flashcards
Subject matter
-The Subject matter of this work is three doctors who work in the field of oncology. This can be seen in the medical gloves and notes. Currie choose this subject matter as this painting is a commission for The National Portrait Gallery.
-The subject matter of this work is cancer. This can be seen in the large area of black negative space. Currie used this negative space to represent the darkness of cancer and the unknown element of the disease.
Imagery
The strong imagery used in this painting conveys the narrative of medicine. This can be seen in the scrubs the doctors are wearing. This helps the viewer understand the message that these men are trailblazers in the field of medicine and oncology.
-Imagery is used to as symbolism in this painting. This can be seen in the tiny light being held by the middle doctor. This conveys the idea of hope for a cure that is in the hands of these doctors.
-Imagery is used in the addition of the curtain. This is a direct reference to the surgical theatres the men work in. Thus, the inclusion of it in this work gives the viewer a sense that the men are mid operation.
Technique/working method
Currie uses the technique of Chiaroscuro. This can be seen in the strong contrast between light and dark between the doctors faces and the background. This technique creates a sense of volume and depth to the painting.
Currie begins his painting by establishing a dark background. There after he adds strong flesh tones to create dramatic contrast. This can be seen in this painting where the opacity of the clothes allows us to see through them to the dark background. This painting appears frightening and ghoulish at first.
Currie uses a large soft full brush to buff the edges of each figure whilst the oil paint is still wet. This can be seen in the glow coming from each doctor. This technique makes the doctors seen other worldly.
Ken Currie had to visit these men at work to help him understand what they did and prepare to create this painting. He later said there was indeed theatre in their work. He included the curtain seen in the painting to represent this.
Composition
the open curtain. The act almost as bookends drawing our eye in toward the central figure ready to make his way into the darkness.
The compositional element of unity is created in this painting through the use of a limited pallet. This can be seen in the pale neutral colours of the men’s gowns. As the men are closest to us the create a foreground, drawing our attention.
There is a clear foreground, midground and background in this painting. These have been created to establish depth in this work. There is visual hierarchy in this work created by the bright figures in the foreground. The mid ground of the delicate curtain and the black void in the background.
Pose
The figures are cleverly posed and positioned. This can be seen in the way that one of the doctors is holding his gloved hands up. They are covered in blood and this indicates to us the men are in the middle of an operation.
The men are all posed to be looking back at us. This can be seen as the central figure looks sternly over his shoulder. This pose has been used to show the men are in front of us leading the way in cancer care.
Shape and form
Shape was used in preparatory moulds and casts for this work. These were taken of each doctor’s face to allow Currie to gauge a good likeness. Working from a set cast has impacted this work as the faces seem static, set & serious.
Form is heavily used in this work. We see that in the men’s faces where the use of tonal range has allowed Currie to describe each man’s unique features. This is important as the painting is a portrait.
Form is used in this work to describe the clothing each doctor is wearing. Currie uses directional brushstrokes and tonal range to establish the illusion of 3D form in the sleeves of the gowns.
Mood and atmosphere
There is a dark sombre atmosphere in this painting. This can be seen in the serious expressions on weary looking faces. This tells us that the work these men do is long and draining, however it is essential to help those suffering from cancer.
The use of negative space in this painting adds to the mood as the dark blackness is vast and takes up almost fifty percent of the canvas. This represents the scale of this disease and the unknown element of how to treat it.
The use of pose adds to the mood of this work. We see the two doctors at each end holding back the curtain to allow the central figure to go into the darkness to help people. This tells us the men are working together to lead the way in oncology.
The use of contrast adds to the mood of this work as the tiny light represents hope in the hands of these doctors. This gives changes our initial opinion of this work, as we realise it is a tribute to these men who are leading the way for us.
Colour
Currie uses a lot of tints in his colours. By adding white to the blues and greens of the figures clothes he lightens these. This is effective as these tints are a strong opposite to the very dark tones used in the background and this creates visual impact.
Currie does not use highly saturated strong colours. This is because the subject matter is often health and illness. This is effective in the Oncologists as the desaturated colours used give the figure the appearance of fragile otherworldly creatures perhaps even angels.
Currie often uses cool colours. This can be seen in the blue and greens used in this painting. This is effective as these colours are receding and draw your eye further into the painting.
Style
Currie has a distinct style this is representational but not hyper realistic. This can be seen in the media handling around the clothing of the men which is opaque. This is effective as it makes the figure look like spirits or otherworldly.
Currie’s paintings always seem dark and foreboding in style. This is directly linked to his working methods as he starts every painting with a dark shiny base before adding luminous flesh tones. This is effective as it creates the illusion of depth in the painting.
Tone
Tone is used heavily in this painting. High contrast has been created between the velvety darkness and the luminous paint on and around the figures. This makes them appear as spectres or ghouls at first but we quickly realise that these men as saving life’s. This is indicated by the tiny light held in the hand of the central figure which could be seen as hope!
