Week 23 - Final Major Project - Week 2

I used the beginning of this week, to finish off my primary research. This included filling my sketchbook with my own images and stories from my name. But I needed more research, this took me to look into museums and galleries for secondary research. 

I attended the Imperial War Museum. This visit was extremely helpful! Not only was I able to learn more context behind the war, but I also found an artist who's work is based on the war, I found many items of clothing and even managed to buy some postcards and books, that will be useful in moving my project forward, from the gift shop. 

                                  (My own photos)

Looking around, I was able to find out things that linked to what my nan had already told me. As well as adding further knowledge to what I already knew. 

I found quotes from people who were there at the time, pieces of furniture, clothing and laws that applied during the Second World War. All of which should help with my project. 

While looking around the museum, I also managed to find an artist;

(My own photo)

I had never heard of Peter Kennard before, but his work was beautiful! His work was incredibly dramatic, meaningful and thought provoking. Definitely something I will be taking inspiration from later on in my project. 

The Imperial War museum describes Kennard as; "...Britain's most important political artist whose imagery has become synonymous with the modern protest movement... has consistently confronted issues in world politics and British governmental policy both at home and abroad..." I was lucky to find an artist that linked so perfectly, his work is something I would like to revisit later on. While I was at the Imperial War museum I also purchased postcards and books. The postcards were of posters used as propaganda during World War 2, while the books I purchased included; CC41 Utility Clothing, Fashion in the 1940s and Style in the Second World War Fashion on the Ration.   

The rest of this week included gathering my secondary information and deciding what was useful enough to put into my sketchbook. The books and postcards I got proved to be very helpful. I was really happy with my visit to the museum and what I managed to find, although I feel it would have been even more helpful had I visited more than one. Despite wanting this to be my final week of research, I cannot help but think, my project would benefit from another museum or gallery visit. 

Week 22 - Final Major Project - Week 1

When first presented with the 'Final Major Project' concept, I knew I wanted my project to be personal. I just felt, I would be more enthusiastic and committed to the project if it was something I had a personal connection to.  Keeping that in mind, I started brain storming ideas. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to base my FMP on my nan. My nan is an incredible woman, she's quick witted, independent, funny, loving, brave, smart and extremely caring. 

The part of my nans life I find most interesting is her teenage years. When my nan was thirteen World War Two broke out. Coming from a working class family in Hackney, my nan, along with her 4 sisters and 3 brothers all stayed at home throughout the war, never being evacuated. For as long as I can remember, my nan has told be some of the most unbelievable stories about her time during the war, they have always fascinated and entertained me, so I knew this is the time period I wanted to base my final major project on.
To begin with, I searched our house for any photos of my nan I could find. I had great success! I managed to find photos of my nan, my granddad in his Navy uniform, My nans brothers and sisters, her parents and the street party their street held after the war, among many other beautiful photos; 

(My own photo)

Being able to find as many pictures as I did, means my primary research is strong to start me off on my project. As well as gathering photos for my primary research, I spoke to my nan. Asking her as many questions as I could possibly think of about the war, I was lucky to hear some incredible stories about her life. All these stories were summarised and written in my sketchbook, I also have a separate sketchbook purely for stories and quotes from my nan.
Her stories include; how her family got food, what they would eat, what she did for work, what her siblings did for work, what it was like working during that time, clothing, and more.
With all the information I managed to gather, including what I already knew, I spent my week putting all the information into my sketchbook, through imagery and mind maps.
So far I am happy with the progress I have made in terms of my primary research, my sketchbook is fall of images and information. It's important I keep this up, asking my nan, as well as her siblings for more stories and quotes, I would also like to find more photos. But next week, my main focus is going to be secondary research. I am planning to attend museums and galleries to strengthen my research.