Development of collecting litter:

I was inspired by artists such as Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp, especially Duchamps 'Readymade', and Warhols 'Campells soup cans'. I was inspired by these two pieces in partucular due to the fact that they both revolve around objects that have already been made. They didn't necessarily have to come up with an entire composition for the work, duchamps being already made for him and Warhols being an observed drawing. there is something simple but enticing about both pieces.

Initially I wanted these images to be a commentary on consumerism and the kind of food that we eat. When looking at their pieces I was reminded of stock photos and product placement and photos, things that you would see in a telemarketing show and I wanted to emulate this within my own work. I has been collecting old sweet and crisp wrapper as well as different types of plastic packaging from my house as well as other peoples so that I could recycle them properly, stuffing them all into a used New York bagel bag. 

As I was deciding what to use them for I noticed that the bag on its own had sculptural aspects to it, and I was drawn to the mixture of jagged and smoother curves paired with the bright colours of the bagel bag. I took photographs of the filled bag in a couple of different positions, one standing up and two on its side. I believe that all of these were successful, however, my two favourites are the first and third images. I think that the image of the bag standing up on its own in the middle of the frame has a childlike quality to it, the way it's slightly bent and leaning back against the white background reminds me od and old well loved children stuffed animal. I believe it seems open, vulnerable and non threatening, which allows the viewer to feel more comfortable. I believe that the contrast between the bright colours and the white surroundings also add to this, they capture the viewers attention immediately and create a fun and bubbly atmosphere for the piece. 

However, I think that the least successful of all my images is the third photograph. I think that the positioning and composition is lacklustre compared to the others and it doesn't entice me in the same way that the others do. 

I really love the third image, I believe that positioning the bag on its side was a good idea as you can clearly see all of the packets and packaging that have been used to fill it up, I think that being able to see the inner workings of the piece takes away some of the mystery and allows the viewer to break through a barrier and connect to the work on a deeper level. I think that there's something fascination about being able to see the inside of an object and see the way it works and I believe that it creates more depth within the piece as well as adds more surfaces for the light to bounce off.