Painting & Printmaking School of Fine Art

Charlotte Geekie

(She/Her)

My current research focuses on Kawaii Culture; the Japanese Cuteness aesthetic. My interest in Japanese culture began through cultural exchange when I visited in high school and has evolved after spending my exchange semester at Kyoto Seika University. In my recent work, I take influence from recognisable Japanese objects such as screen dividers, and kimono’s and reimagine them with my own brand of ‘cuteness’. The power dynamic between cute objects (which are often looked down upon, or not taken seriously) and the viewer (who is often involuntarily reduced to ‘awwws’ and ‘oooohs’) is something I enjoy playing with in my work. I depict characters that are not stereotypically cute and surround them with collages, bright colours and intricate mark-making. ​

I have taken influence from the Superflat movement of the 90’s, and it’s commentary on fandom, excess and pop culture. I enjoy using markers and pencils to create repetitive marks in my work, I often fill large areas of my drawings with flat colours and work into it to add depth with textures and patterns. I aim to create a dialogue between my imagined characters, cultural icons and digital imagery. My process often includes layering materials and mixing sources to create joyful, hyper-feminine, super kawaii works. My work in itself could be considered fandom, for Japanese culture and the aspects of it I have connected with. I populate my work with references to my personal life such as my guinea pigs, my local area, and toys/websites I was a fan of growing up. I playfully celebrate girlhood and create an imaginary gathering place for my interests. ​

Contact
C.Geekie1@student.gsa.ac.uk
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Works
Kimono Patterns and Origami Paper
Participatory Arts and Community Engagement
Kawaii/Kowai–SO CUTE YOU WANT TO SQUEEZE IT?!
Charlotte Geekie Degree Show

Kimono Patterns and Origami Paper

I became interested in Japanese culture in high school after participating in a funded cultural trip to Japan paid for by the Sasakawa Foundation. On this trip I was introduced to the art of Kimono/Yukata wearing and the intricate layering process which builds the garment. During my exchange semester in Third Year, I took part in more kimono-wearing sessions and then was inspired to teach myself how to dress in a Kimono as I spent the new year with my host family from high school. Referencing Kimono/Origami patterns became a large part of my research this year. I am drawn to the ‘flow’ often seen in the designs and the charming, cute motifs that adorn them. I also like that the act of wearing a Kimono is similar to collage in the sense that many different contrasting patterns are laid together or draped over each other to create a fuller, more developed design.

In my works I take aspects of Kimono/Origami patterns and reimagine them in contrast to my own interests or pop iconography such as the Kewpie Mayo Baby or Furbies.

Neon Mixed Media Collage with Posca Pens, Markers and Origami Paper

For Sale: Price on Request

Untitled, drawing on board

For Sale: Price on Request

Posca Pen Drawing on Washi Paper

For Sale: Price on Request

'Untitled' Marker drawing on Board

Close Up of Mixed Media Collage, Marker and Origami Paper Kimono Pattern

Close Up of Mixed Media Collage, Marker and Origami Paper Kimono Pattern

Kawaii/Kowai–SO CUTE YOU WANT TO SQUEEZE IT?!

In my work, I wanted to explore the contrast between ‘Kawaii’ meaning cute, and ‘Kowai’ meaning scary in Japanese. I was interested in the phrases ‘So cute you want to squeeze it’ and ‘So cute I could just eat it up’ which are often said about small animals and babies. These works were part of a wider research stage of creating recurring imagery which I could employ in my final pieces such as the bubbles and neon color scheme.

'Step on Me' Original Character print on Washi Paper

For Sale: Price on Request

'untitled' Pencil Drawing on Paper

For Sale: Price on Request

Guinea Pig Sketch on Origami Paper

Guinea Pig on a Flower, Sketchbook Drawing

Participatory Arts and Community Engagement

Throughout my time at GSA, I’ve worked with Widening Participation as a student mentor aiding the delivery of portfolio classes.

In my final year, I was able to focus on participatory arts as a means of working. I utilized my creative platforms project to allow me to create large chalk drawings in collaboration with my close friend, Edinburgh College of Art student Eilidh Richmond. I also delivered local drawing workshops at my local highschool between December 2023-January 2024. I was able to secure £250 worth of funding from GSA Sustainability channels which allowed me to provide materials for the workshops. The focus of these sessions was to encourage the young people to create drawings that represented their interests and identities with the aim for all of the drawings to provide a glimpse into the wider creative culture of Cumbernauld.

Having grown up in Cumbernauld I am interested in the background of New Towns and the public art which once filled the empty spaces between the new housing developments. In the future, I would be keen to work alongside more people in my local community and beyond to develop larger-scale public artworks and accessible creative safe spaces.

Progress Picture of Chalk Mural

Public Chalk Mural in Cumbernauld

Progess Shot of Students Drawing Workshop

Charlotte Geekie Degree Show

My approach to curating my work for degree show was to try and bring the ideas I had taken from Japanese culture and the influences from my own upbringing together. One way I was conscious of this was in how I framed my work. With the use of purple frames, I was able to bring separate works together with a common colour and even included origami paper as a backing for my print to add more cohesion. My neon pieces stood strongly on their own while more muted colours were contrasted by the vibrant lilac.