Ieva Stradina L2L: 2013

Artist Statement

My piece is a response to an article called ‘The quest for childhood adventure in a changing Ireland’ by Declan Varley which I found in the Galway Advertiser. The article is about how children’s childhoods have changed over the years in Ireland and how children should have the freedom to play and explore like they used to. The article focuses on what life used to be like for a child about 50 years ago in Ireland and where children found excitement and fun through their creativity. This today would be considered dangerous and unacceptable by parents due to the incidents that have happened to children in recent times.

The themes and concepts within the piece are loosely based around the article and of course the main theme carried through the piece is childhood. Danger is central in the piece represented by wire pocking through the cardboard. Childhood innocence is also represented in the piece with the white tissue paper, the paper is ripped which represents how the world we live in today can take away their innocence. The theme of nature is also represented in the piece with a tree, this is a symbol for childhood and expression through the branches of the tree.

The materials used in the piece all had something to do with the themes in this piece. The wire symbolises strength and in turn danger. The tissue paper represents childhood innocence which is a central theme and is also placed in the centre of the piece. The cardboard represents nature as well as the tree. Finally the paint and colours that I have used represent expression and childhood freedom.

The piece is made in a childlike way to suit the themes represented in it.

By Ieva Stradina