Thinking more about what BECOMING means- growth, development, transitions, metamorphosis… Inspired by the anatomical illustrations by Henry Vandyke Carter in the original Gray’s Anatomy written textbook of human anatomy by Henry Gray- I began “looking inside” for new ideas. Our anatomical structure is our internal universe- a series of systems that keep us running, allow us to grow as individuals, and live our lives in the way we choose to. Thus they are the foundation of what we become- they’re the roots of the tree whilst we grow and branch out as unique individuals.
I looked specifically at the rib cage, as it holds some of our most important organs- our heart and our lungs. I thought about creating a 2D paper sculpture- taking ideas from the structure of a pop up book; beginning with a flat illustration in which multiple parts jump out at the viewer. The rib cage itself is a black fine line illustration, cut out to give off the illusion of being three dimensional. Once this was finished, I inverted the image to create negative versions- seeing the effect of light and darkness.
I then began looking at symbols relating to growth and transformation. Snakes shed their skin and represent transformation; koi fish symbolise change and sweeping transformations in life, as well as good luck, success and advancement. Lotus flowers represent purity, enlightenment, self regeneration and rebirth. Sunflowers demonstrate longevity; and butterflies represent endurance, change, hope and life. All of these illustrations are made using gouache paint, with some also made using multi media collage (Koi fish and snakes scales are from a recycled coffee box).
The butterflies are made of two poems by Christopher McGeown, a Canadian writer. These are:
Water the garden of your heart, until the roots reach your soul, and there is no place that beauty doesn’t blossom.
And
In the process of becoming it is easy to forget the beauty in being.
These two poems demonstrate the nature of becoming and transformation, the important of self love and self acceptance when it come to personal growth and resurrection.
Finally I incorporated the symbols into and around the rib cage skeleton- with snakes entangled through the ribs, butterflies perched on shoulder blades and bones, koi fish swimming around the structure, and flowers blossoming from within. This Illustrative sculpture demonstrates the nature of growth as an individual using the structure of a rib cage as a universal sign for a person (we are all made up of the same skeletal system)- and the vibrant colourful process of our every changing characters, lives, and self transformations.
Caitlin Noble 