Graduating Art and Art History student, Yuki Xu, shares the story of her work, Love Hormones in this workshop. Love Hormones—a series of works that explore love—uses an abstract representation of love, excitement, and mixed emotions in a relationship. Yuki will be conducting a pre-recorded workshop, sharing her experience creating the work, exploring her inspiration and guiding participants finish Love Hormones together.
Materials
Gelli plate (see below)
Paper of any kind
Dish sponge
Glitters & glue
Akua Ink or acrylic
Gelli Plate Materials
1 oz Unflavored Gelatin
2/3 Cup (16 oz) Vegetable Glycerin (optional but adding it can help the plate to last longer!)
1/3 Cup hot water
5’x7’’ Container with smooth bottom
How to Make a Gelli Plate
Pour the glycerin into the container. Then sprinkle in the gelatin and stir it quickly until it thickens. Pour hot water into the container immediately after mixing the gelatin and stir it around to break any clumps. Place it in the fridge for two to four hours and it is ready to use.
Instructions
1. Think about what you want to make. Any photograph, drawing, painting, or even your feelings can be an inspiration for your work. (Prepare an interesting inspiration!)
2. (Optional) If you want a specific shape in creating the print, you can cut out a circle or whatever shape you want from a piece of paper or cardboard, and have it prepared to use in the printing process
3. Draw out anything you want on the Gelli plate with Akua ink or acrylic with a paint brush or a sponge. In Love Hormones I used a sponge because I wanted a sporadic effect. If you were to use the frame, you can either place the frame on the plate and draw within the framed area or place it when you print to get a clean cutout around the edges.
4. Once you finish drawing and ready to print, you can put a piece of paper on the plate and press it with your hand or a rice spoon.
5. Carefully lift up the paper.
6. Wait for your print to dry and now you can glue the glitter on how you like!
About the Artist
Xueer (Yuki) Xu is a fourth year undergraduate student enrolled in the UTM and Sheridan joint Art & Art History program. Xu is a Chinese student who works in print media and graphic design to develop diverse compositions of colours and shapes.
About the Exhibition
404 ERROR is an exhibition presenting works by students from the 2021 graduating class of the joint Sheridan College and University of Toronto Mississauga Art & Art History program. The exhibition is curated by Task Manager, a collective of students from FAH451: Curating Now. Presented virtually on the Blackwood Gallery website, on Instagram (@404error.exhibition), and via the 404 ERROR Podcast, the works of twenty emerging artists collectively explore the process of troubleshooting as a metaphor for various modes and mechanisms for navigating, coping with, challenging, questioning, and resisting the violent and oppressive systems we inhabit.
Video Documentation
Love Hormones workshop with Yuki Xu.
Students graduating from the Art and Art History program receive both an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto Mississauga and a Diploma in Art and Art History from Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. The program is designed to provide students with a strong and diverse base of knowledge that prepares them for a broad spectrum of careers within the arts community and beyond. Alumni have pursued careers in teaching, both at the primary, secondary and post-secondary levels, while others go on to earn their Masters in Studio Art or Art History. For more information please visit www.artandarthistory.ca.
The Blackwood
University of Toronto Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Road
Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6
[email protected]
(905) 828-3789
The galleries are currently open. Hours of operation: Monday–Saturday, 12–5pm, Wednesdays until 8pm.
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The Blackwood is situated on the Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Seneca, and Huron-Wendat.