Visual Influences

Hannah Rocha-Leite

A distant and dark island on a choppy sea

Speaks of isolation Distance from society Journey across water can

represent sleep, or death.

Layers of meaning placed one on top of the other

Sewn together haphazardly to create a patchwork of ideas and images – like a dream.

Richly coloured, patterned fabrics

Associated with wealth and opulence

Worn to breaking point, it can show how hard times have become.

Books are associated with wisdom and knowledge

For old books this is especially the case

Spellbooks, sources of arcane and secret knowledge are a trope found in stories across the world.

A landscape that seems nonsensical to others, but with it’s own internal logic.

Following the same theme as the Escher drawing

Dali’s works are associated with dreams

With surreal landscapes

And with nonsensical inhabitants.

An image of Miranda seeing the shipwreck from shore

The hazy, iridescent colours speak of the dream-like quality of the island.

Again the colours of a dreamscape show in this image.

The figure speaks of isolation

The dress recalls other eras in it’s shape, in it’s long train.

References Emma Tempest, (2009), Untitled [ONLINE]. Available at:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3632506815_56ed4ed5c9_o.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12].

Joaquim Alves Gaspar, (2011), The Island of Pessegueiro as seen from Porto Covo, Portugal, in a winter day[ONLINE]. Available at:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Porto_Covo_January_2011-2b.jpg/800px-Porto_Covo_January_2011-2b.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12].

John Waterhouse, (1915), Miranda - The Tempest [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.johnwaterhouse.com/paintings/images/waterhouse_miranda_the_tempest.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12].

Lisa Baltimore, (2009), Twigs and fibre [ONLINE]. Available at:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ocQCHy2SVqQ/SxKGxEddCuI/AAAAAAAAAdU/advbivaNtRg/s1600/012blog.jpg[Accessed 23 May 12].

M. C. Escher, (1961), Waterfall [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.mcescher.com/Shopmain/ShopEU/facsprints-uk/data/1000/11%20Waterfall.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12].

Minouc Henderson, (2011), Untitled [ONLINE]. Available at:http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.301656277.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12]

Salvador Dali, (1931), The Persistence of Memory [ONLINE]. Available at: http://re-title.com/public/mailimages/Dec10-artnet/Salvador-Dali.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12].

William Hoiles, (2008), Picture of old books. Basking Ridge Historical Society [ONLINE]. Available at: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Old_books.jpg [Accessed 23 May 12].