Dave Devries work is based around interpreting children's drawings into a more realistic evironment. The drawings are reworked and then carefully painted, shaded and toned to give a sinister and realistic edge to something so innocent. Though the paintings themselves are of interest, it is more this process of interpreting a child's point of view that I could potentially help the development of this project.
It's strange how these images turn out so damn scary. But then I guess the deformed characters on the paper lend themselves to a slightly sick recreation of themselves.
Will and I hope to work with children in this way to help us generate ideas around how to visually interpret an imagination. How can we be the judges of what is imaginative? It's been a long time since we were children, and every day the limits of the real world cloud our own imaginative visions.. Children are generally more inquisitive, ignoring the rules of what is and is not possible - allowing them to explore their imaginations far more thoroughly and without fear of looking stupid.
So it seems only natural to try and harness this resource... it also fits with our target audience - how can we tell a child what is or is not imaginative? A child's influence seems quite necessary.
On this note then, just to test the waters, I empolyed the creative talents of my 9 year old little sister. She fits the target audience perfectly - as she is in no way a girly girl! I like to think she learns from the best.
I asked her to come up with a really short story around whatever he favourite thing was that day - and illustrate it a bit. Nothing too taxing.
She decided on dragons, and this is what she came up with!
It's a bit difficult to decipher, but you get the gist of the humour through the illustrations.
The plates of identical meals signal quite a sophisticated sense of humour for a child of 9, and this is by no means the limit to it. Quite a useful exercise anyway.
Thanks Jodie! x
