Richard Ackoon

In early 2010, I decided to focus my creative efforts on a new series of work. My methodology has remained consistent since then. This process, a form of collage, has enabled me to fuse my knowledge of graphic design and fine art, thus allowing me the opportunity to combine the bold, arresting, and instantaneous visual qualities of communication design, along with painterly aspects such as line, color, form, and composition. The result is a visual representation reminiscent of and inspired by Pop Art.

The primary tools I work with are art paper, an X-Acto knife, and an acid-free spray adhesive. I usually find source images via the internet, newspaper and magazine articles, and personal photographs.

First, I draw outlines of the essential pictorial elements found within the image I choose to work from, specifically concentrating on forms of shadow and contrast. The line drawings are then transferred on to the combination of art papers I select. I then use a sharp blade to cut out the various shapes from the different colored papers, resulting in an array of seemingly unrelated elements. As these abstract shapes are arranged on a board, the image progressively begins to take form and come to life to display the final intende...