Charlie Sofy
Santa Sabina College
TOO CLOSE
Graphic Design
Charcoal drawing, light box
My body of work recontextualises the Greek mythological story of Icarus, using it to create a science fiction art installation inspired by video games. The story of Icarus examines the idea of overreach in terms of Man playing God and the price he paid as a result. My graphic-based work engages with moral concerns about the human relationship with technology. It is also intended to explore the impending threat of our potentially dangerous dependence on artificial intelligence given our increasing reliance on it, and our blind optimism.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Rémi Causse, Bryan Wan.
Marker's Commentary
This graphic design body of work showcases a fusion of Hellenistic sculptures and cyborg illustrations. The triptych conveys a commanding visual presence, bolstered by the use of a stylised font. The seamless integration of graphics and illustrations is executed with great power and impact. The skilful rendering of the figures demonstrates the artist's drawing expertise, while the composition complements the illustrative approach. The artwork constructs a complex narrative through visual metaphors and accompanying text. The merging of Greek mythology with cyberpunk elements results in a captivating hybridisation.
The fusion of manga illustration and classical Greek art adds an intriguing and graphically compelling aspect to the body of work. The evocative design is enhanced by the duo-tone palette of green and black and the merging of scanned drawings with text is highly successful. The artwork title, Too Close, intricately references the timeless fable of Icarus, endowing each panel with a heightened layer of meaning and imbuing the design with a profound narrative depth. Through this clever reference, the artwork invites a nuanced exploration of contemporary deconstruction of the myth, as the panels seamlessly weave together to form a cohesive and evocative narrative.