MEET Matisse

MEET Matisse is a collection of editorial spreads I have created which all focus on manipulating the artwork produced by twentieth-century modernist icon Matisse. To begin with, I determined three categories out of Matisse’s vast body of work and grouped individual pieces to fit into them, depending on whether they embody that particular feature. These are: the Blue Nude cut outs, line drawings of women’s faces and line drawings of women’s bodies. My nine editorial spreads each then embrace their own method of altering some aspect of these original drawings. Their titles give an idea of their method: Introduction, Disassemble reassemble, Classical, Frames, Chinese symbol-esque, Colourfully fragmented, Borderline Basquiat R-red retro, Green chalkboard and Frieze.

I was inspired to create this project because I adore how Matisse represents women. As said on my introduction page “Matisse’s nudes come from the eye of a man who loved women”. He celebrated women’s curves, freedom of movement, independence and individuality and honours women for it. Artistically, his style of flattened form, fluid line and simplified colour makes it easy to go back to basics, which is a great place to start for exploring and expanding on concepts. These feminine ideals still strike a chord today and I think this is partly why his work is both timeless and admired nearly a century later.

** We Are Beginning To Embrace The Different Curves And Shapes Of The Female Form **