Laura Callaghan - Wonderland Magazine

Griffin, L. and Dixon, E. (2016) Laura Callaghan - Aspirational. Wonderland Magazine. [Online]. [Accessed 2 November 2016] Available from: http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2016/05/laura-callaghan-aspirational/

The 'tongue in cheek’ (Callaghan in Griffin and Dixon) exhibition is based on the contrast between the plethora of inspirational quotes that are seen all too often on social media and the actual lives that millennial women are living.(Griffin and Dixon) Callaghan’s exploration of capitalism and brand image in her work gives her a refreshing opinion on the topic of social responsibility. 

'people are drawn to positive affirmations in times of hardship and recession’

• People are actively searching for this support so when brands offer it to them, they are sucked in by it. 

‘cynical'

• Is it really a cynical approach or is it just recognising what is happening in consumer culture?

'Obviously for commissioned work time is a factor so I ink those illustrations by hand and then colour digitally. Using photoshop also gives me flexibility to make client changes relatively easily – there’s no undo button for painted work so you’re kind of stuck with what you get.'

• Link to practical work. Callaghan's preferred process is painting however she has to adapt her practice to work efficiently as a professional. She says she uses photoshop to add colour and to make any necessary changes to the work. I would like to take this idea across into my practical work because I prefer working with analogue processes but I can see how when something becomes a sellable product, there are certain constraints (usually time) that alter the production process. 

'there is a level of self-awareness to the work because yeah, I’m part of it! But that doesn’t mean I can’t recognise it’s flaws and failings,  and that’s what I’m trying to do with this series.'

• Callaghan admits she plays a part in the issues she is fighting against with her work. Does this show self awareness or does it show a lack of commitment to the cause? 

'As for subverting it from within, I don’t know…it’s such an organic and evolving thing I don’t think anyone has that much control over how what they post is perceived. One of the pieces I made for the show is about fair weather spirituality and the idea of buying enlightenment – so there’s a figure in a yoga pose surrounded by conflicting religious, spiritual and cult artefacts. But I’ve since seen it being used by yoga instagram pages with ‘inspirational’ captions completely unironically. You can’t control how people see things, and I like that!'

• She speaks about the lack of control over how people perceive your work - this relates to arguments from Barthes and Boas. The example of her tongue in cheek illustration being used unironically by a yoga Instagram page sums this up. 
• The intention behind the illustration I am looking at is about the idea of 'buying enlightenment'.

'I think it’s only natural that there’s a distrust of capitalism and rightly so. But at the same time where is the alternative? It permeates every aspect of our lives, so much is predicated on having and making money.’

• The illustration itself shows how capitalism 'permeates every aspect of our lives' as the girl is surrounded by bought products which have this enlightening message.
• Link to practical work. This links to my choice to create designs for products which will sit within the home environment. It uses this idea of 'permeation' to overtake and overwhelm everyday life with products which supposedly have good intentions. 

'I mean the cynicism about branding can only go so far, I have to make a living so inevitably going to have to work with brands. It’s just a case of being aware of who you’re working with. At the moment brands are really eager to be your friend, it’s become the done thing for a brand to cultivate some kind of back story or heritage, adverts for cars and banks try to forge an absurd emotional connection with customers, it’s all very cynical and disingenuous.'

• It is about awareness. Callaghan suggests here that you don't have to actively change the world, just being aware of what is happening and allowing this awareness to influence the decisions you make will help. 
• Not trustworthy, not genuine, not AUTHENTIC.