Surrealist Self-Portraits

About

My name is Eilise, I am a MA Fine Art student. I am leading a group workshop on the 24th of April on Zoom which hopes to explore feelings and identities of young artists at this time through surrealism and portraiture. We will look at the lesser-known history of women’s surrealist portraits as well playing some surrealist games as a tool for self-exploration and awareness. I feel this is particularly pertinent at this time when we are spending a lot of time alone and experiencing an array of unfamiliar emotions. The platform of Zoom has been chosen for it's security and a secure network is recommended to be used by all participants.

Following this will be questions to focus an open conversation on gender roles and the self. They will focus mainly on your sense of self as a woman today. While the focus is on a positive and uplifitng experience I realise some questions may bring up painful or emotional topics and feelings as though they are written to ecourage positive self-reflection, I cannot control what associations may arise from them. Participants are encouraged to answer at their level of comfort and not to answer any questions with which they felt uncomfortable or that would pose any risk to them as this will be taking place on an online platform. They can withdraw at any time during the workshop. I also invite participants to ask their own questions of me and the group. The aim is to have an empowering discussion in a safe space.

The questions will be based on those tackled by the artists we will look at:

How do you feel as a woman today? Are there any roles or characteristics you feel are expected of you?

What does your ideal relationship with yourself look like? What do you do to show yourself compassion?

What are your interests? Favourite book, film. 

What are your best qualities? Think about a moment you're most proud of perhaps

What are your values?

What would like to grow in, your ideal self. What is a dream you have?

What do you want to learn more about?

What is important to you? Your support network or something you like to do.

What practice consistently brings you home to yourself?

What brings you happiness?

The responses are invited to be given in the form of drawing portraits, figurative drawings or through fictional literary prose and poetry, as inspired by the visual and literary works we will look at. No particular materials are necessary, it is whatever you prefer to use, a simple pencil and paper will suffice but you can be as creative as you like! The reason for this is to aid in helping participants to create or explore their identity and wellbeing. If participants are not confident in either of these responses I am happy to draw a portrait for them based on their responses during the discussion. Responding expressively in whichever way is comfortable for you is encouraged. Creating a self-portrait for the first time can be an overwhelming and emotional experience and so this is not a necessity. Only respond in the way that feels right for you.

Following this, I will also ask questions on the experience of being a part of the workshop and for a photographic copy of what they have prdocued as part of the workshop to be viewed and formally analysed as part of my research. For the participants, an artist book will be put together of all of the portraits, poems and stories as well as an oppurtunity to give feedback on the outcome of the research. The purpose of this is to research the changing identities of young women in this moment of time and how struggles and hopes can be revealed or come to terms with through art.

This workshop is for anyone who would like to explore surrealism, their identity, share their story and meet other women and artists. This is also open to people who are not artists but would like to take part! If anyone wants to take part just to listen, talk, find out more about surrealist women artists and writers such as Suzanne Cesaire and Leonora Carrington, or have fun creating artwork or writing I warmly encourage this too. The purpose after all, is not to create a good piece of work! If anyone would like to join the artists already taking part please contact me by email at eilisefineartist@outlook.com for information regarding the date and any further questions about the workshop.

As this is taking place on zoom and  is part of on-going research, all responses will be transcribed and reviewed by the academic institution, participants will be asked to sign a consent form to safeguard the wellbeing and confidentiality of participants. This form will be sent to participants before the workshop. Please only take part if you can consent to this. As this workshop is also part of a research module, the practical outcomes and artwork created as part of the workshop will be reviewed and potentially used by the academic institution. To safeguard confidentiality and anonymity in the research however, the workshop will not be recorded and names will not be recorded in the research. The research will be made available to the participants.

Many thanks,

Eilise