THE ART OF PRINT STAGE TWO - "PRINTS OF DARKNESS"

For this project my initial idea was to make a series of lino cuts of aimal prints, to use for cushions, as follows:

When doing research I saw this image in Harmonious Homes by Judith Wilson (2004): 

(Seems like I gravitate towards anything with an African theme)

I then thought of using a series of animal foot prints, for example:

Looking for a symbolic meaning, I thought about how different animals might affect the environment.

This led to the idea of comparing animal prints with human footprints and introducing the concept of how the human carbon footprint is having an impact on the environment and the implications.

At this point I considered the relevance of colour to the theme. My colours of choice to tie  in with the theme "Prints of Darkness" were: green, brown and black, and I finally settled on green and black, which would depict a clean environment and a damaged environment, and would also provide the greatest impact.

I also incorporated a small amount of text to highlight the implications.

This is how my idea developed:

Positive and negitive photocopies to go onto acetate for screen prints:

The first two are screen prints on green fabric and the third one is a laser cut through on black fabric over the green fabric:

The final stage remaining is to add some decorative stitching and possibly applique, and then assemble the series of 3 cushions depicting:

1) Early print - No harmful elements in the environment  

2) Middle Ages print - Some harmful elements eg Bubonic plague or " Black Death"

3) Carbon footprint - causing harm to the environment