Final year project
Gazing on the Toxic: Digital Art and Social Media [Read more]
My Body, My Choice
Images are a fantastic source of information and when paired with wording, they can generate a deeper level of understanding. The poster was made to aid the protests in Poland surrounding the law being passed to make most abortions illegal. 'My Body, My Choice' focuses on bodily autonomy and gender inequality.
Behind The Screen
The poster presents the lack of diversity behind what is shown on screen. This piece aims to provoke positive change. With an increase in diversity comes a plethora of new visions and ideas.
Toxic Positivity
The poster spreads a positive message as the woman swiftly swings to the aid of someone on social media. However, the vibrant colours and placement of the piece in a brightly coloured room begin to feel sickly sweet. Showering positivity on others may fix issues online for a short while, however, negativity and "internet trolls" seem to worm their way back in.
The aim of this poster is to highlight toxic positivity on social media.
Express Yourself
'Express Yourself' is a playful piece that celebrates acceptance and the freedom to be yourself. The poster was later converted into a short animation that utilises stereotypes and the male gaze. The poster and animation aim to prompt reflection of the viewer's perception of gender and femininity.
Social Media Drains Me
'Social Media Drains Me' is a part of my animation "franchise" 'Star-Gram Secrets'. The poster depicts the human form slowly turning into the digital. Her identity is linked to her digital footprint. In this modern age, it is near impossible to not be on social media. Despite the need for an online presence, social media can be home to toxic behaviours and reinforces the gaze.
The speech bubble is a cry for help as she loses herself in the digital realm.
'Timelines and Choices', Animation Still
The animation still comes from an experimental stop-motion animation made on Adobe Photoshop and Filmora film software.
The animation depicts an alien-like woman who floats above Earth in a spaceship. She symbolises 'other', a being above the confines of gender. She casts her eyes upon how women are represented in social media and how they could be. The animation has alternate endings, one where she is saddened and the other where women are celebrated and she is happy.
'Star-gram Secrets', Animation Still
The animation still comes from my final project here at Loughborough University. I used Adobe Animate to create stop-motion animation.
Within the project, I have experimented with 3D animation software, stylistic choices and alternate ways of displaying information. The project focuses on the darker side of social media, and how the male gaze and toxic positivity makes the internet almost impossible to navigate as a young woman.
Degree Show Room Plan
Here I have presented what I had planned to do for a physical degree show. The room is brightly painted with an orange carpet to mirror the intensity of my animation. The colours add to an overwhelming sense of forced happiness.
Displayed are my animation, stickers, apparel and posters to collectively create a cinema-like experience.
Gemma Shrimpton
I am a final year fine artist who works with digital mediums to create dynamic artworks.
My Fine Art practice has focused on the role of the 'gaze', and how preconceived ideas surrounding femininity are often damaging. I have explored presentation and forms of spreading information in contemporary times, such as GIFS, animations and the use of social media platforms. Developing my skills in digital media and stop-motion animation has allowed me to portray positive connotations towards femininity in a comedic or surreal fashion. The belief that feminine qualities are undesirable, not only damages women but contributes towards toxic masculinity. I aimed to use popular, visual materials to embrace and elevate femininity in order to move away from outdated values.
Final year project
Gazing on the Toxic: Digital Art and Social Media
Awards
I won second place in the PLACINGS logo competition in April 2021. Dr Emiliano Renzi initiated a project to widen the participation of underrepresented groups in higher education STEM courses. The projects name is PLACINGS: Partnership for Launching Careers in Engineering and Sciences. The logo I designed will be featured on a separate page on the new project website.
‘Dear Grandma’, a children's book written and illustrated by Amy Selby, Rebecca Wilkinson, Sarah Hannaford, Erica Tang, Tom Frost and myself was shortlisted for the 'Reading Zone Picture Book Competition, Secondary Category 2018. The book presents a young girl, called Sammy, who writes a letter to her late grandma. She travels to a new planet to find her grandma's favourite flower. Sammy then makes her way home to give the flower to her grandad. The book tackles loss and how a child can process the emotions that come with it.
Work Experience
I am currently volunteering as the Graphics and Digital Media Officer for HeadsUp. HeadsUp is a student-run association here at Loughborough University, focusing on promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across campus via social media campaigns and events.
The committee works collaboratively on every project, ensuring that the responsibilities of planning and advertising campaigns are distributed evenly. We are hardworking individuals who have been able to share kind words and motivation due to excellent communication and teamwork.
Due to COVID-19, social media has become increasingly more important. Instagram and Facebook have allowed the committee to share information with a wider audience. Illustrations paired with bite-sized information creates vibrant and dynamic graphics. I have learnt to work with extensive briefs and making graphic designs that delight the client and the proposed audience.
I worked with Alex Marlowe, the Welfare and Diversity Executive Officer for Loughborough Students' Union, to create a wellbeing leaflet. The leaflet was printed and distributed in the university halls.
I collaborated with Loughborough Students' Union officers to include mental health contacts such as NightLine and tips on how to stay active during the day and wind down during the night.
The project meant many hours were spent revising the design and communicating with Alex. Through successful time management, I found an equilibrium between the project and my studies. The outcome of the leaflet is user friendly, informative and playful in design.
I wrote an article for The Limit, an online magazine featuring Loughborough University students' work.
The article was comprised of six stereotypes of art students that you could find at Loughborough University. The light-hearted and comical article is mixed with illustrations, drawn by myself.
I wrote the article so that it was tailored to Loughborough University, for example, the stereotype of the sporty "AU" artist.
I am grateful for the opportunity to write for The Limit and enjoyed the process of mixing illustrations with a blog-like writing style.