In studio photo shooting, backdrops are used to cover the real space behind it, creating illusive backgrounds. In playground, backdrops are used to decorate or distort the real figure behind it. In both cases, they are visual traps, a 2D surface covering something real.
For me, backdrop is not a closed trap, things behind it are in a condition between hiding and being trapped. It can represent a trap which has positive and negative sides at the same time-- as a disguise in the everyday life, backdrop can be regarded as a protective shell for artists to maintain their unique intuition or childlike curiosity. Nevertheless, the lack of courage to expose their real emotions and thoughts can make the shelter a prison for creativity. Final outcome is a concertina pop-up book. Viewers are asked to flip over the backdrops to see what hide/ is trapped behind.
I drew all the backdrops and a few images. 5 artists/ illustrators are asked to create a simple drawing behind my backdrops.
Artwork by Anna Skomdal
Artwork by Lin Liu
Artwork by Jolene Tew
Artwork by Marina Muun
Artwork by Jo-joo
Artwork by Fay Huo
Artwork by Fay Huo
Gold foil stamping book cover.
Thanks a lot for viewing!!
