Today, I made a collage

A collage is best described as a work of formal art that utilizes different means of materials such as magazines, text, photos, and fabrics to create an arranged mass of expression. Popular belief dictates the existence of collages came in the early 20th century although there have been contradicting theories indicating earlier usage.

I have been a fan of collages since I was 14 after a school assignment required us to try it out using paint. I don’t have a favourite artist nor do I prefer any specific mediums, but I do love and perhaps even prefer one particular asset: colour.

Earlier today I was browsing one of my favourite blogs: Tumblr. I found several beautiful portraits, dreamscapes and an endless thread of collages. Most of them focused on music. I was in a creative, daredevil mood today, so against all odds of possible failure I thought I would try it out myself! I grabbed the scissors, glue and a piece of worn out cardboard for the backing and made my studio on the living room floor.

The hardest part was finding a theme. The first place I looked for one (although it should have been a last resort) was through an array of old magazines spread across our messy table. Luckily variety did not fail me (People, Mary Kay, Food, etc.)

I had a reoccurring image of a girl’s face in my mind although I could not see ‘who’ she was. Eventually I deduced that she must be a universal character, which is why she has no defining features yet she looks like someone you could know. I surrounded her face with hints of make-up, Prada and diet pills to indicate a feeling of pressure to look beautiful. The dangling chains that bind the kneeling ballerina are meant to symbolize entrapment by one’s vanity. Then there is a parody picture of Atlas holding the girl’s face to say “beauty” is a heavy burden. However I also wanted to emphasis hope, so the right side of the platform displays a slightly more energized side to this dilemma. The words plastered in the dark area eventually lead the girl to her freedom; accepting who she is as a beautiful individual.

Even though the finished product somewhat gratifies my lack of depth or originality, it was a great exercise and certainly out of the ordinary for me. It’s been a long time since I thought of doing anything artsy so it provided a bit of a release for my mind and all my concrete perspectives. Lots of fun!

- J.