The 'Face 2020' drawing challenge was inspired by Karen Hickey's art residency in the school last year.
In January we launched the challenge with six categories.
Today we are launching eight new categories - many are inspired by life during lockdown.
The idea is simple- Enjoy drawing as a hobby. Bundle your imagination into a quiet space at home and be inspired by the resources to create your own masterpiece in your style and favourite medium.
To view/download all the new Face 2020 categories visit our the art page here.
The lockdown has in many ways stilled human activity. Scientists have discovered that bird song has recaptured it's former glory in the absence of the din of traffic and busy human lives. Did you rediscover the beauty of nature in lockdown? Be inspired by the fantasy scenes set in nature in the photograpahy of Bella Kotak. Bella's storytelling pictures lift the veil of the overlooked and reminds us that there's magic in the most ordinary of spaces and beauty in every face.
'Messy hair! Don't care!' may have been the mindset of many during lockdown. I can't comment on that and I'm not sure if CoCo Chanel was correct when she said 'A woman who is going to cut her own hair is about to change her life!' I'm not even sure if your hair is 90% of a selfie but I do know you will enjoy the photography of Lee Nugent. So express yourself and find your own style if you create a face from this category.
During lockdown the world appeared to stop turning. Even now it's a strange place! I find it hard to get used to only seeing half of people's faces. Faces are important. Faces tell stories. Lee Jeffries is a master storyteller and through his powerful photos of homeless people in cities across the world he has been able to produce social commentary that isn't dependant on words. For some it can feel like the world is spinning out of their control with or without a pandemic. In Ireland homelessness continues to be a complex issue that we need to address as a society. Explore the lines in these faces. Let them draw you deep into their realities and imagine the stories these faces could tell.
Did music or art fill your days in lockdown? Did you rediscover music you hadn't listen to in a while? Did you find the documentary about Robert Johnson on Netflix by accident? Did you know that Jimi Hendrix would have been 77 last week? What would he have been like as ageing rock guitar god? Did you know that Janis Joplin was bullied in college and that it left a long lasting effect on her own sense of self worth? Or that Amy Wineheouse didn't always wear dark make up? Or that Jean Michel Basquait SAMO graffiti tag was short hand for 'Same Old Sh*t' and that he sometimes painted in a suit? The 27 category celebrates the lives of these unique creatives all who sadly died at the age of 27. Turn up the volume on your earphones, overcome your own creative block and listen to 'Castles Made of Sand' as your explore these turbulent lives.
I'm sure the Black Lives Matter movement made you think more about equality during lockdown. This movement was really started by those with vision like Rosa Parks long before BLM. The glasses category celebrates those who aren't afraid to speak out - Robert de Niro speaking out about Donald Trump, Lady Gaga speaking out about mental health or Iris Apfel speaking out about life. You really need to read her 10 life lessons of a 96 year old who is probably cooler than you.
The side profiles category reminds us that we don't always have to look at things head on. There is more than one way to look at life.
And that leads us onto the last category, the art of Bartholomew Beal. I found his art by accident on Instagram. If you love drawing faces you have probably seen SKY Portrait Artist of the Year before. One of the judges, Kate Bryan, posted some of his art and mentioned that she was writing about this artists' life for a upcoming book. He sadly died at the age of 30 from a brain tumor. But all throughout his illness he continued to paint and create.
This drive to carry on is really important in our new world of pandemic and silent pain. Several students have told me how hard it has was saying final goodbyes to grandparents who were ill during Covid 19. Bartholomew's clowns in this category remind us that many students and staff might be carrying silent worries behind their masks. If you are inspired by the art of Bartholomew Beal talk to someone and share your worries. Talk and draw!
Picasso once said, 'Let art wash way from the soul the dust of everyday life.'
So enjoy FACE 2020. Enjoy art as a hobby!
Don't let COVID 19 take away your creativity!