DISCUSSION NOTES (researcher) Participants
Gina Dominque Hersey
Mark Roughley
Dr Robyn Ferrell
Date, Time, Location
05 Jun 2023
11:00 AM EST
Online via Zoom
Meeting Format
Video conference
Meeting Notes and Files
At 11 AM EST, Mark and I met for nearly one hour via zoom, then later,
at 6 PM EST, Robyn and I met for one hour, also on zoom.
~In each meeting, we discussed works in my studio... I showed 4 newly stretched paintings, three of which I am happy with, one which I will likely have shortened on one side by 2-3 inches.
~In both meetings, we looked at and discussed at some length one larger in-progress mural, which is inspired by the Fitzpatrick Skin Tone Scale or SPF chart:
~~ Mark thought of it as a kind of abstract self-portrait, which is very insightful, and though it is 100% in-keeping with the auto-biographical methodology that I have taught for over two decades, when standing in front of my own work, I admit having a very difficult time embracing it. (I am still stunned at this exchange.)
~~ Robyn remarked on the gold that I do not like in such a way that I will hold off on changing it...at least I will rework a couple other portions of the painting prior to revisiting and possibly changing that color.
~~ I stated to both that the painting is mid-stream and I will complete it within the next two months. I also shared that I will have it stretched as the biggest issue with it hanging loose is that it appears to hang like smoothed out crumpled paper.
~ I showed both three newly stretched and gessoed linens, which will make up a large triptych:
~~Robyn asked my plans for it, and I stated that I have in mind to approach it like an assimilation piece, meaning that I will potentially blend or fade from one skin tone to the next without either gestural or hard-edged/geometric marks...treat it like a kind of hombre.
~~She reminded me of Lucian Freud's treatment of skin colors...how many colors are in his "whites" depicting all of the Brits he painted (including himself).
~~This immediately gave me the idea that I might pencil a grid onto all three canvases, then within each square, paint various skin tone shades with very thick, brushed-on Freudian marks...(haha on the double (Freudian) entendre.)
~Robyn was so enthusiastic and encouraging about all of the paintings, including this yet-to-be-realized work. Mark too. Both are very supportive of my studio practice, and of my entire project.
~With both Mark and Robyn, I discussed installation ideas for my upcoming Stevenson University Greenspring Gallery exhibition, which I will install by August 20, for the August 21-October 12 exhibition.
~~Mark suggested rotating installed works on a weekly basis. Mark suggested showing paintings and rotating them weekly. He encouraged a kind of "living archive" of the thesis project. I really like this idea...and was thinking of showing the "tests" and ephemera on one of the 4 main gallery walls. Along these same lines, I plan to display tubes of paint, and the Pantone skin tone guide I use in my studio in table-style vitrines.
~~Robyn suggested that I may need all of the paintings themselves for the walls, as the gallery is much larger than my studio, (at least four times as large).
~Mark sent links to readings to further inform my thesis project, including those listed in the "Agreed action points (to be completed after the meeting)" (Note: I had previously read and referenced some, but I will revisit and read those I haven't yet.)
~Mark and I discussed my upcoming Transart Liverpool residency, and the July 14-22 dates I will be attending. (I depart NY July 13, and return July 23.) Mark and I booked a 1-3 PM, Monday, July 17 in-person meeting.
~Mark reminded me to complete my Annual Report form located on eDoc by July 2023. Once I do and submit it, we will schedule an all-supervisory-committee annual review meeting. That will likely be in late July.
~~I let Robyn know this, and she and I agreed that we would request one of the last few days of July so both she and I are returned from our July travels.
Agreed Upon Action Points (to be completed after the meeting)
1. Complete works in my studio for upcoming exhibition, including:
2. The now in-progress larger scaled "Fitzgerald Skin Tone Scale Chart" mural stretched (...potentially cut it first...???)
3. The larger scaled triptych, discussed with Robyn (see meeting notes).
4. Complete eDoc Annual progress review form this month and submit in early July.
5. Schedule Annual progress review for July 27, 28 or 31.
6. Attend TT-LJMU July residency.
7. Meet with Mark in person on LJMU campus on July 17.
8. Ready, transport and install Stevenson Univ. exhibition by August 20, 2023.
AND
I will read articles and reviews, then add links to my thesis bibliography (links provided by LJMU lead supervisor MR):
https://www.google.com/search?
q=fanchon+frohlich+exhibition+ljmu&source=lmns&bih=1030&biw=1064&rlz=1C1GCEB_enGB1004GB1004&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiu3tzVuqz_AhUericCHRyxADYQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/news/articles/2023/2/6/fanchon
https://www.exhibition-research-lab.co.uk/exhibitions/fanchon-frohlich-the-wrong-sex/
https://www.artinliverpool.com/features/reviews/review-fanchon-frohlich-the-wrong-sex-at-exhibition-research-lab/
https://www.thestateofthearts.co.uk/features/the-wrong-sex-rediscovering-fanchon-frohlich-the-unsung-abstract-expressionist/
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/16/women-abstract-expressionism-whitechapel-gallery-krasner-sobel
https://www.google.com/search?q=Action,+Gesture,+Paint&source=lmns&bih=1041&biw=2133&rlz=1C1GCEB_enGB1004GB1004&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjM2I7Ru6z_AhWpnCcCHUwrD8IQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA
https://www.whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/action-gesture-paint-women-and-global-abstraction-1940-70/
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2023/feb/09/a-punch-in-the-face-action-gesture-paint-women-artists-and-global-abstraction-1940-70-review
