Sophie Williamson

Sophie Williamson BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation 2020

I have a keen interest in environmental and social issues. I make, animate and illustrate my ideas around the well being of animals, humans and our natural world. Through my work I aim to highlight the darker side of what we are told is "normal" in modern day society. I use 3D modelling, illustration and animation as tools to express injustice and send messages I believe to be important in order to initiate change. 

Throughout my third year I created a range of illustrations, animations and 3D works commenting on animal and environmental welfare. Including topics such as the detrimental effects of the meat and dairy industry, pollution, animal testing and the destruction of the natural world due to human activity.

Here I am showcasing work from two projects…

‘Meat Your Maker’

An investigation into what goes on inside the animal agriculture industry. Looking beyond the sugar coating put in place by clean packaging and unobtrusive advertising; discovering what goes on ‘behind-the-scenes’.

‘100 Years Ago’

A project in the making, commenting on environmental welfare by bridging the gap between humanity now and what humanity will be like in 100 years; if we do not save our environment.

Due to limiting circumstances and lack of facilities this project is unfinished, I was unable to create the final animation. In its place I am showcasing puppets and short animated clips that I was able to make during lockdown, which will one day be a part of the final animation.

Contact Sophie

sophiewilliamson97@hotmail.com
sophie-williamson.com
instagram.com/1swart
www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-williamson-7b20b71a4
vimeo.com/sophiewilliamsonanimator
Final stop motion clown puppet 1 - part of 'One Hundred Years Ago' project. Created in collaboration with illustrator Luc MacMahon, these menacing clowns are used to symbolise the 'devilish desires' which lead to the destruction of our natural world. Materials: wire, air dry clay, cotton, buttons, guache, plasticine.
Final stop motion clown puppet 2. Materials: wire, air dry clay, cotton, buttons, guache, varnish, plasticine.
Clown Models - part of 'One Hundred Years Ago' project. These models were created as a test for the final stop motion puppets. Created in collaboration with illustrator Luc MacMahon, these menacing clowns are used to symbolise the 'devilish desires' which lead to the destruction of our natural world. Materials: plasticine, guache.
'Animal Milk' - part of 'Meat your Maker' project. These three milk bottles, containing monkey milk, dog milk and pig milk, are designed to plant a thought that drinking the milk of other animals is strange. To make the audience question why they feel uncomfortable with the idea of dog milk but not cows milk? Materials: Recycled milk bottles, acrylic paint, hand illustrated labels.
Part of 'Meat your Maker' project; the 'Milk Me' poster is designed to expose what lies beyond the clean advertising and stories of idilic farm life, and expose the truth behind the packaging. 3D sculpture, edited digitally.
Ceramic Cow Puppet on Strings. A piece which reflects the control humans have over cattle, and how the agriculture industry entirely orchestrates animals lives. Designed to resemble a cow skeleton with a hollowed skull and boney legs, complete with an abstract glaze. The long thin legs and smaller torso resembles a calf, playing on sympathy and nostalgia, exaggerating vulnerability. I chose to make the puppet ceramic; a fragile and easily breakable material, to further stress the fragility and vulnerability of these animals.
 The head and neck of the model are made to look more skeletal than the other body parts, this symbolises death. Materials: Ivory stoneware, black glaze, nylon thread.
Meat Your Maker - Projection - Sophie Williamson
Animation Showreel - Sophie Williamson
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