Working in the style of Lucas Simoes

As Lucas Simoes worked in a style of layering of many photos in the series named 'Desretratos', I decided to create my own experiments in the style of his work. I started the process by printing the same image of a close-up camera shot of bark on a tree. I felt that the artist already experimented with doing the style with portraits, so I decided to become more abstract with less figurative photography. 

Each layer was a different colour so that the layers were distinct therefore visible. I cut different shapes out of each layer so that there was an exploration of different shapes on each layer. 

I found myself, not wanting the surface material to come through so I didn't cut into the base layer. However, after combining the layers this would have been a way to develop the piece. The addition of negative space would make the piece more interesting from my opinion because it would make the piece seem less rectangular and freer.  

Once I had finished cutting each layer out, I decided to fix them together using PVA. I found the layering technique successful at distorting and making the photograph less figurative. 

The unusual selection of colours for the photographs reminded me of the way colour-blind people perhaps view the world, one of my friends is colour blind making him find difficulty with distinguishing different colours to the rest of us.  

I thought using the same photograph for each layer, would mean that once combined would create the same images, but with different fragments of colour. I find that this was unsuccessful, however, seems to have worked for the best, as it has made a basic, boring piece of bark look bizarre and unusual. It challenges the way the world should and does look. 

This piece might be improved with the addition of acetate being applied, this would create another layer to view and wouldn't erase too much of the photograph from view because the material is transparent. I might print onto the acetate and then cut the acetate into strips that could be weaved through the distinct layers.

From the cuts out, these shapes were produced as a by-product. I scattered them on to a plain, white background to further develop my interest of these shapes capabilities. I didn't stick them down, due to my belief that I could use them in later experiments. These cut out are of the same object, however, due to the composition and colours a new object is created.