Draft Study Statement – Sophie Ashdown
1. Working Title:
Form over Function: Why and how have the visual and design principles of the original Constructivist movement endured to influence 20th century modern art in Britain and new Constructivism in the UK.
Exploring the evolution of Constructivism, from its early 20th-century Russian origins to its influence on contemporary art and design, particularly in Britain. I am primarily interested in the visual aesthetic, form, and structure of Constructivist art, rather than the social and political messaging that was part of the original movement.
2. Aims and Objectives:
Aims:
- Explore how the visual style of Constructivism has developed in modern British art. Looking at what makes the bold, geometric designs of Constructivism so appealing and how they’ve been used in different creative areas like fine art, graphic design, and architecture.
- Create a body of work and volume of research that celebrates and promotes the visual style, geometric aesthetic, and abstract design principles of Constructivism into modern art in the UK.
Objectives:
- Break down the key visual features of Constructivism and track how they appear in modern British art and design.
- Look at specific examples of British artists, designers, or movements that have used or been influenced by Constructivist elements.
- Utilise key Constructivist design principles (eg. Geometric abstraction, bold typography, dynamic compositions) in my own work to produce pieces inspired by the movement.
- Examine the role of institutions, businesses, and art movements in reshaping how we see Constructivist visuals today.
- Compare how Constructivist aesthetics have evolved in Britain versus other places, looking at whether the art movement has influenced other countries or cultures differently.
- Explore how modern digital tools (eg. AI or 3D printing) relate to the Constructivists’ emphasis on industrial materials. Experiment with these tools in my own practice.
- Use my platform of being part of the New Constructivists UK group to launch a new series of work based on my learnings through this Study Statement.
3. Context (Including Historical, Contemporary and Theoretical Contexts):
There are several contexts to explore why Constructivist aesthetics (bold geometry, abstraction, dynamic composition) have endured while their political messaging has faded. Here are the main areas that I intend to consider:
Historical Context
- The origins of Constructivism in Russia and its political motivations.
- How Constructivist ideas influenced early British avant-garde movements.
Artistic and Design Context
- Examples of British artists, designers, and movements that have incorporated Constructivist influences over time.
- The role of Constructivist aesthetics in modern art movements of today
Institutional and Commercial Context
- The role of museums and galleries in shaping and promoting Constructivist art.
- How businesses, corporations, and brands have adopted Constructivist-inspired visuals for commercial purposes.
Personal Context
- How I have been personally influenced by the visual elements of Constructivist art
- How my art practice can incorporate the key elements of Constructivism
- How can I influence the awareness and promotion of Constructivist art
4. Methodology:
- Use traditional research methods (books, papers, publications, online resources) to gain an in-depth understanding of the aims and objectives of the original Constructivism movement.
- Use all available research methods to fully explore and understand how constructivism as an art form is present today, including face to face interviews with current members of the New Constructivists in the UK.
- Construct a timeline of the evolution of Constructivism since its inception to today.
- Create artworks embodying the original visual and design elements of Constructivism to better understand and interpret the movement.
- Establish what modern Constructivism is today and what it means to me.
- Establish my own modern interpretation of Constructivism using my unique methods, experience, methodologies, and practice.
5. Outcomes:
In-depth understanding of the original Constructivist movement plus an equally good understanding of how it has influenced related modern art in Britain today.
A body of work that reflects my interpretation of Constructivism today, incorporating my own style, method, and aesthetic.
A lasting online record of my research that can be a resource to others, eg a digital map of the evolution of Constructivism
An output of my practice and research that contributes to a deeper understanding of Constructivism’s enduring relevance and possibly elevating the awareness and appreciation for this art movement.
6. Work Plan:
| Week(s) | Action(s) |
| 1-10 | Immerse myself in the first term. Understand what is expected of me. Start thinking about and planning the concept of my Study Statement Talk to Jonathan about my Study Statement idea in our first tutorial |
| 11-13 | Prepare a first draft of the Study statement Talk to Jonathan about my Study Statement idea in our second tutorial |
| 14-15 | Research and development of my Study Statement Change my mind often of what the Working Title will be Make multiple drafts of my SS Get frustrated and redo whole sections more than once Prepare the Study Statement for submission |
| 15 | Submit my Study Statement via my blog site Have a nice glass of wine |
| 16 | Review and prepare what is needed for the Unit 1 assessment, with a mind to how it relates to my Study Statement Berate myself for not blogging enough |
| 17 | Submit my Unit 1 Assessment information via my blog site Have a nice glass of wine |
| 17-19 | Prepare artwork and concept for the interim show, that relates to my Study Statement Prepare an Artist Statement that includes more information about how Constructivist art is influencing my practice Assist with preparing and hanging/displaying everyone’s work for the interim show |
| 19-20 | Residency week with my coursemates. Discuss and commiserate with each other about the Study Statement and Unit 1 Assessment |
| 21 | Delve into research for main objectives of getting an in-depth understanding of the original design elements of Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 22 | Explore different research methods to inform my practice Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 23 | Explore different research methods to inform my practice Start delving into specific British artists that were influenced by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 24 | Explore different research methods to inform my practice Incorporate learnings into my art Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 25 | Explore different research methods to inform my practice Incorporate learnings into my art Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 26 | Explore different research methods to inform my practice Incorporate learnings into my art Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 27 | Explore different research methods to inform my practice Incorporate learnings into my art Start building the timeline of Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 28 | Work on the timeline of Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 29 | Draft a visual representation of the timeline of Constructivism Can I make this timeline into an art piece of its own? Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 30 | Publish the draft timeline on my blog Have a nice glass of wine |
| 31 | Prepare interview/questionnaire questions and topics for speaking with Primary Research targets (eg. Artists, curators, etc) Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 32 | Contact target artists/curators to arrange for interview/questionnaire Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 33 | Conduct interviews/contact work Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 34 | Conduct interviews/contact work Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 35 | Collate findings from primary research Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 36 | Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 37 | Continue to build my body of work inspired by Constructivism Read/review at least one resource from my bibliography |
| 38 | Curate a series from my work that embodies the aims of this Study Statement |
| 39 | Publish the series on my blog Have a nice glass of wine |
| 40-60 | To be confirmed |
7. Bibliography:
This is a list of resources I can use for exploring this Study Statement. I expect that I will discover many more along the way but these are ones that I’m aware of now. It is unlikely that I will have the time to read or review all of them but I intend to tackle at least one per week.
There are various different types I intend to use:
Books and e-books
| Title | Author/Editor, Year |
| A new era : Scottish modern art 1900-1950 | Alice Strang, 2014 |
| After Constructivism | Brandon Taylor, 1971 |
| Art in revolution : Soviet art and design since 1917 | Arts Council of Great Britain and Hayward Gallery, 2007 |
| Barnbrook Bible | Jonathan Barnbrook, 2019 |
| Bauhaus goes west : modern art and design in Britain and America | Alan Powers, 2009 |
| Beyond postmodernism : new dimensions in theory and practice | Roger Frie and Donna Orange., 2018 |
| Bridget Riley : paintings from the 1960s to the present | Michio Hayashi, Yukiko Kato and Kiyoko Maeda, 2017 |
| British Constructivism from the Collection of Catherine Petitgas | Laurent Delaye, 1982 |
| Circle : constructive art in Britain 1934-40 | Jeremy Lewison, 1982 |
| Circle : constructive art in Britain 1934-40 | Jeremy Lawson, 2005 |
| Constructed Abstract Art in England After the Second World War: A Neglected Avant-Garde | Alastair Grieve, 2007 |
| Constructed Works | Celia Davies and Sarah Martin, 1960 |
| Construction and geometry in painting : from Malevitch to “tomorrow” | Kazimir Severinovich Malevich, 1996 |
| Constructionism in practice : designing, thinking, and learning in a digital world | Yasmin Kafai and Mitchel Resnick, 1995 |
| Constructivism | George Rickey, 1968 |
| Constructivism : origins and evolution | George Rickey, 1979 |
| Constructivism and the Geometric Tradition : selections from the McCrory Corporation Collection | Willy Rotzler, McCrory Corporation,Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 2017 |
| Constructivism to Minimal Art: From Revolution via Evolution | Pete Gubbins, 1985 |
| Contrasts of form : geometric abstract art 1910-80 ; from the collection of the Museum of Modern Art | Magdalena Dabrowski, 2016 |
| Cubism Constructivism Form Art | Agnes Husslein-Acro and Alexander Klee, 1974 |
| Cubism, Futurism and Constructivism | JM Nash, 2020 |
| Imagine no possessions : the socialist objects of Russian constructivism | Christina Kiaer, 2002 |
| Modern British art | Rebecca Beach and Karen Jakobsen, 2010 |
| Modern British posters : art, design & communication | Paul Rennie, 1985 |
| Naum Gabo : sixty years of Constructivism including catalogue raisonné of the constructions and sculptures ; Dallas Museum of Art, September 29-November 17 1985 … Tate Gallery, London, February 11-April 20 1987 | Steven A. Nash and Jörn Merkert, 1998 |
| New art new world : British art in postwar society | Margaret Garlake, 2021 |
| Ode to construction : abstraction in the digital age | Polina Joffe, 1993 |
| Peter Fuller’s modern painters : reflections on British art | Peter Fuller, John McDonald, 2004 |
| Photography and montage after Constructivism | Margarita Tupitsyn and Valentina Nikiforovna Kulagina, 2022 |
| Postwar modern : new art in Britain, 1945-65 | Jane Alison with Hilary Floe and Charlotte Flint, 1993 |
| Realism, rationalism, surrealism : art between the wars | Briony Fer, David Batchelor and Paul Wood., 2021 |
| Rhythm & Geometry, Constructivist art in Britain since 1951 | Tania Moore & Calvin Winner, 2009 |
| Rodchenko & Popova : defining constructivism | Margarita Tupitsyn, 1983 |
| Russian Constructivism | Christina Lodder, 2005 |
| The artist as producer : Russian constructivism in revolution | Maria Gough, 2006 |
| The Bauhaus, 1919-1933 : reform and Avant-Garde / Magdalena Droste | Peter Gössel, Avinus, Maureen Roycroft Sommer, 2012 |
| The geometric unconscious : a century of abstraction | Jorge Daniel Veneciano, 2000 |
| The Rise and Fall of the Poster | M Rickards, 1974 |
| The Tradition of Constructivism | Stephen Bann, 1960 |
| Theory and Design in the First Machine Age | R Banham, 1975 |
| Ways of making : 5 systemic artists , Norman Dilworth, Jeff Hellyer, Peter Lowe, Ray Masters, David Saunders | Welsh Arts Council and Lucy Milton Gallery,1975 |
Papers, Articles, and Essays:
| PHD Thesis | Constructivist Art in Britain 1913 – 2005 | Alan Fowler | 2006 |
| Thesis | Constructivist costume, textile & theatrical design, 1917 – 1934: a study of constructivism set in the socio-cultural, political and historical context of post-revolutionary Russia | Wendy Bark | 1995 |
| Journal | Constructivist forum | 1985- | |
| Pamphlet | Impressionism, cubism, expressionism, constructivism, optimism | Kate Bernard | 1971 |
| Periodical | Quad : bulletin on constructive and systematic art. | Frits Bless and Cor Rosbeek | 1982 |
| Article | Revolutions in Time, Space, and Art: Russian Constructivism | Floris Bannister | 2012 |
| Exhibition catalogue | Structure in art | University of Saskatchewan | 1973 |
| Essay | The exhibition British Constructivist Art | Sam Gathercole | 2016 |
| Essay | What Was Constructivism? Building the Future through Art | Chris Wehberg | 2021 |
Films/videos:
| A history of British art (multiple episodes) | Andrew Graham-Dixon | 1996 |
| Abstract: The Art of Design | Netflix | 2019 |
| Modern British Artists (series of DVDs) | Matthew Hill and James Fox | 2011 |
| The Creative Painters of the World : Wassily Kandinsky | Netflix | 2018 |
| The genius of British art Part 5, Modern times | Janet Street Porter | 2010 |
| The National Gallery : a private view. 6, The British achievement. The road to modern art. | Edwin Mullins | 1990 |
Online resources:
| Website | Section/article |
| Artland magazine | Art Movement: Constructivism |
| British Art Studies | British Constructivist Art |
| The Art Story | Constructivism |
| National Galleries | Constructivism |
| MoMA | Constructivism |
| Artforum | Constructivism and its Confusions |
| Artsy.net | Constructivism Brought the Russian Revolution to the Art World |
| Studio Binder | What is Constructivism Art — Definition, Artists & Their Work |
Archives/Institutions
- Christie’s – history of Constructivism and Collecting guide
- Design Museum
- Tate Britain and Tate Modern
- Victoria & Albert Museum (specifically the Prints and Drawings collection)
British Artists
Here is a non-exhaustive list of specific British Artists that I intend to study and research. Each has been influenced or involved in Constructivist art in Britain:
- Anthony Hill (1930-2020)
- Bridget Riley (b 1931)
- Gillian Wise (1936-2020)
- John Ernest (1922-1994)
- Kenneth Martin (1905-1984)
- Marlow Moss (1889-1958)
- Mary Martin (1905-1984)
- Michael Kidner (1917-2009)
- Natalie Dower (1931-2023)
- Paule Vezelay (1892-1984)
- Peter Lowe (b 1938)
- Stephen Gilbert (1910-2007)
- Victor Pasmore (1908-1998)
Living People to contact
There are many people who I would like to contact directly to get their input on Constructivism, how it has influenced them, and why they think the visual principles have endured. There are some on this list that likely won’t respond, but I can try!
| Who | What/Why? |
| Jonathan Barnbrook | Graphic designer and typographer. He designed the cover album for David Bowie’s 2002 album “Heathen” in a constructivist style. |
| Andrew Bick | Artist and Curator |
| Tania Moore | Artist and curator. Author of Constructivist book |
| Dr Jon Wood | Art historian and curator. Published essays on Constructivism |
| Rana Begum | Minimalist abstract artist inspired by Constructivism |
| Vladimir Dirsh | Constructivist Artist, head of New Constructivists UK |
| Vic Cooper | Artist in the New Constructivists UK |
| Mary Thrasivoulou Spence | Artist in the New Constructivists UK |
| Robin Cornell | Artist in the New Constructivists UK |
Sophie Ashdown 