Artwork Title: Untitled
Artist: Rachael Broeckel
Artist Statement:
The overall theme of my war artwork is based on loved ones left behind, specifically, the mother’s, lovers, and wives. This painting focuses on the women of WWI. During this era, it was no easy feat for these women to be left to fend for themselves and their family.
The use of colour to depict the emotional state of the subject was of great importance to me. The red and blue tones were used to symbolise her grief and pain and grief. The emphasis on the nose and eyes, depicts that she has been crying. These colours were chosen to show contrast and stand out to the viewer. The subject was a German WW2 actor, Leni Riefenstahl. I chose Riefenctahl, as I found her to be a woman with stern, strong facial features and a notable face during war times. I chose to not replicate her image exactly, but drew inspiration from the strong features and stare she holds.
