Shiavanni Herd

A Truthful Form 2023
cyanotype print and bleach dye on black cotton drill
Sacred Heart College, VCE Art Making and Exhibiting

A truthful form is a figurative textile artwork that visually represents the soul and its yearning to be free. The artwork behaves like a veil, hung off a branch to convey a naturalistic sense of fluidity. It depicts a female figure ascending into being, surrounded by a patchwork of windows and symbology. The silhouette at the centre has a strong sense of unity in contrast with the disjointed patchwork border. A truthful form is dense with symbols of death, higher consciousness and an appreciation of time and small beauties. They represent concepts such as change, femininity, connection, existentialism, fluidity and intuition.

The complimentary colours of blue and orange emerged organically through the art making process of bleaching and cyanotype. The blue is communicative of tranquillity and peace, juxtaposed with the energetic heat of the bronzed oranges. The repetition of familiar motifs such as eyes, distorted linework, insects and flowers is suggestive of psychedelic aesthetic qualities.