Writing about art
The language of visual art has three basic parts:
Concept
Form
Colour
Concept refers to the thought or idea behind the artwork:
What is the piece of art trying say?
What did the artist have in mind when the work was made?
What do you think of the artwork?
Do you like it or dislike it and why?
What is its message?
Is the work serious, humorous, political, offensive?
Form concerns itself with the composition of the artwork:
Is the work in proportion and well balanced?
What shape is it and what shapes are used in the design?
Does the work reflect a style that you are familiar with?
Is the design hard, soft, mechanical, organic, formal, informal?
Does the composition improve the message?
Colour is fairly self-explanatory, but you can ask the following:
What part does colour play in the artwork?
Is the colour bright, dull, dark, pure?
Does the colour reflect a particular mood?
How does the colour make you feel?
Why has colour been used in this particular way?
4R Approach
Another way of looking at artworks is to use the 4R approach:
React
This is simply your first reaction to the artwork. How do you feel about it, does it remind you of anything, how do you relate to it? Do you like it or dislike it? You may see a piece of work and think that you could do better yourself; so you need to go ask yourself why the work is there in the first place. Are other people seeing something that you are missing?
Research
Firstly, examine the artwork using the language that we have already discussed: concept, form, colour. Examine the visual and tactile elements: colour, pattern, texture, line, space, tones, composition, shape. Examine their relationship to each other. Look at the work’s content, ask what it is about. Look at the materials used; wood, metal, clay, fabric and ask why have these materials been chosen? Say if it is a collage, a painting, a sketch, a tapestry, a sculpture. Make a list of all the things you can see and divide it into categories such as: subject matter, colour, composition.
Secondly, examine the circumstances surrounding the production of the artwork. This will require some detailed research and should reveal plenty of interesting information. Try to find out the artist’s motives, look at the context in which the work was produced. See if the work has been influenced by major events, theories or social and political issues.
Respond
Make a considered response based upon what you have discovered about the work. How do you feel about it, did your opinion change as you discovered more? This is an opportunity for you to write about the work in an informed manner. (Try to use the specialist vocabulary of art whenever possible.)
Reflect
In this final stage think about the nature and meaning of the artwork in light of all that you have done. What does the work mean to you, how does it relate to issues that concern you? It is important not to rush this process; take time to think about what you have learned and allow time for new ideas to sink in. Then think in depth about the work.
Notes to help you to look at artworks
Your first feelings |
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What are your first feelings about the artwork? |
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What do you think it is about? |
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Visual and tactile elements; make notes about the following: |
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Colour |
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Shape |
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Form |
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Line |
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Texture |
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Space |
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Composition |
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Basic facts |
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What is its title? |
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What is the artist’s name? |
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Where and when was it made? |
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What is it made from? |
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Context; what else was going on at the time? |
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Other artists |
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Other art movements
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Technological change – IT, photography |
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Religious, social and cultural influences |
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Why was it made?
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Who was it made for?
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Also consider the present context |
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Why was this work chosen to be exhibited?
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Who chose it?
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Why is it shown in this way?
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Your response |
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In light of your research, what is your response to the work?
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Do you think the artwork is successful?
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