For centuries art has been used to express culture, history, beliefs, emotions and more. Art has the unique ability to capture our attention and connect with us in a way that no other medium can. It is the reason why people find different pieces of art so fascinating; even if they are not as “good” as another piece of art, it still speaks to them. Art is subjective, meaning that whatever you feel about a piece of art depends on your history and story; it all comes together to create your unique experience of the work. This is why three different people can look at the same piece of art and have wildly different reactions to it; because their experiences are so different, they will each see it differently.
Art has many functions; it can be a form of beauty, technical skill or expression. It can also promote activism and ignite constructive conversation surrounding pressing issues. Today, with the world becoming more diverse and globalized, art can be a powerful tool in combating intolerance of other cultures and fighting racism. Art can teach others that everyone is equal and it is our duty as humans to respect each other and their culture, no matter how different they may seem.
Using the techniques and skills learned in art classes, students learn to analyze the world around them in order to convey their own message through art. This includes evaluating how the art was created, what emotions it invokes in its viewers, and how the artist communicated with the viewer through the medium used.
In addition to these concepts, there are various other elements that can be considered when analyzing art. These include:
What visual cues are used to create the illusion of depth in the artwork (i.e. layering of foreground, middle-ground and background; use of shadows to anchor objects; overlapping or clustered items; repetition of forms; varying sizes of items – either scaled up or down; the horizon line; linear perspective (learn more here); tonal modeling; spatial distortions and optical illusions; and so on)?
Is the artwork balanced, symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial? Are the dominant items concentrated or dispersed? How is the composition organized, and would your own artwork benefit from a similar organization?
How are the lines in the artwork created and what emotions do they evoke? What atmosphere, moods and ideas do they evoke? What type of line-making is emphasized in the artwork (thick, thin; short or long; curved, straight, meandering; jagged, flowing; spiky; fluid)?
What other methods and techniques have been used to convey the artwork’s deeper, conceptual themes (i.e. allegory; iconographic elements; signs; metaphors; irony)?