Anna Benjamin Fine Arts Senior Thesis Project
Date
2013
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Costume Designer
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Haverford College. Department of Fine Arts
Type
Thesis
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Award
Language
eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
In the Islamic arts, color and shape are used extensively to fill a space with beauty and decoration. Geometric patterns are incorporated into every aspect of the design: walls, floors, ceilings, tiles, furniture and fabric. These designs are overwhelmingly integrated into both the everyday and the extraordinary. This body of work explores different ways of putting together shapes and color to create simultaneously complex and simple patterns. Each of these patterns, in some way or another, is derived from the 8-pointed star: a very common symbol in Islamic design. This particular shape breaks down to countless others. Throughout these patterns are shapes of varying sizes and proportions. In each piece there are endless patterns. Shapes are created by other shapes, by colors, and even across planes. The type of printmaking that I use is a combined computer and hand-printing process. I design the images digitally, and then print them onto a flexible polyester plate. The image is printed in gray-scale with a slightly raised surface, with each plate representing one color. Each plate is then inked by hand, using the lithographic printing process, in which oil based ink clings to the raised image while water repels ink from the other areas. Throughout the creation of these works, I have received encouragement and support from so many. I want to especially thank my family, near and far, for their endless support. Without my teachers, I would never have been able to push myself as far as I have with my art. I want to thank all of my mentors and professors for their support over the years, particularly all of the professors in the Fine Arts Department. I also want to acknowledge the amazing affect that my peers have had on my art. With this amazing group of senior Fine Arts majors we have worked hard, had fun, and have made it here together.