VCA ART 2021

Jana Papantoniou

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drawing & Printmaking)

Using the interplay between figuration and abstraction, my practice aims to occupy a liminal space between the recognised and unfamiliar. My process is driven by a motivation to capture the harshness of sunlight on the body. In such environments, the human form is reduced to its most basic geometry, comprising sweeping lines and shapes of black and white.

Photographing friends and family, I embark on an interpersonal exploration of hindered perception, investigating visual impairment as a mode of abstraction. The scale of the works creates an immersive experience, in which the brain may piece together an image at an obscuring distance while discerning textures on closer observation. Decisive paint strokes and sharp contrasts of colourless shades aim to better further evoke the isolation of impaired vision.

Jana Papantoniou, Achromatopsia, (recording of the artist's visual impairment), Monotype, 2021. Documentation by ALEC.
Jana Papantoniou, Achromatopsia, (recording of the artist's visual impairment), Monotype, 2021. Documentation by ALEC.
Jana Papantoniou, Achromatopsia, (recording the artist's visual impairment), Monotype on cotton rag paper, 2021.
Jana Papantoniou, Hemeralopia, or day blindness, (recording the artist's visual impairment), Hemeralopia, or day blindness, monotype on cotton rag paper, 2021.
Jana Papantoniou, Myopia, or short sightedness, (recording the artist's visual impairment), Monotype on cotton rag paper, 2021.
Jana Papantoniou, Photophobia, or light sensitivity, (recording the artist's visual impairment), Monotype on cotton rag paper, 2021.
Jana Papantoniou, Monochromacy, or colour-blindness, (recording the artist's visual impairment), Monotype on cotton rag paper, 2021.
Jana Papantoniou, Nystagmus, or involuntary eye movement, (recording the artist's visual impairment), Monotype on cotton rag paper, 2021.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campus is situated, the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nations, who have created art, made music and told their stories here for thousands of generations. We also acknowledge and extend our respect to the Traditional Owners of all lands on which our work is viewed, shared and enjoyed, and to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

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