6 styles in Manchester- Expressionism

We were given some information about 6 styles in art: Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, Expressionism, Abstraction and Pop Art. We were asked to find one example of photograph created in each style. Also we had to find design inspired by each of these art styles in Manchester. Our task was not only to find or take a photos in given us styles but also to write why do we think our images represent these styles. These are my images and captions about them:

Expressionism:

Ignacy Stanislaw Witkiewicz, “Self-portrait, with Lamp”, 1913 (photography)
in The Photo Book

I have chosen this photograph as an example of Expressionism. It was made by the Polish artist Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz. He is called the only expressionist-photographer. His works reminds me of German Expressionist paintings especially Emil Nolde’s and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s. This dark photograph is full of melancholy. The artist used strong, very dramatic light to achieve a distorted effect. His face is mask-like. He used a close-up even though it made his eyes look blurred. He broke rules to show feelings not beauty or nature. I think it is very good example of Expressionism in photography. I like its aggressive light however I would prefer it if the artist’s face was a little bit more in focus. I think it is a good photograph.




Graffiti in Manchester, Northern Quarter

I think this graffiti has been influenced by Expressionism. It reminds me of the German Expressionist Franz Marc’s paintings. It is an aggressive in form and colour. It does not want to show an animals beauty but deliver a message, as well as convey feelings and emotions. It is representational image but its figures are mask-like and caricatured. The graffiti artist used childlike simplicity. It is very good example of design inspired by Expressionism in Manchester. I am really impressed by the kind of graffiti which we can find very easily in the Northern Quarter. In my opinion it is a really good graffiti.