Artworks are a diverse group of cultural objects, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs and ceramics. They are typically created on a surface such as canvas, paper or wooden panels and often depict an image that is not directly recognisable. A painting may be of a landscape, a portrait or a still life. A photograph or print may be abstract or representational. A ceramic or glass piece may be sculptural or utilitarian, as in a vase or bowl. An installation might be a piece of sculpture, an immersive work of art or a set of artworks arranged in a room. Generally, artworks have been created to convey ideas, emotions and messages. They can also be decorative and used to decorate interior or exterior spaces.
Traditional definitions of art are often based on the notion that artworks are characterized by their possession of one type of property, and that such properties are essential to what makes something an artwork. Typical candidates for these properties are: representational properties, expressive properties and formal properties.
The emergence of new artforms in the twentieth century has challenged this concept, and new definitions of art have been developed. These define art in ways that are more inclusive and allow for a wider range of artistic styles and techniques.
A major issue in understanding the nature of an artwork is its subject matter. This can be about a person, place or event, about an idea or emotion, or about an object or activity. It can be about a particular period of history, culture or social context, or about an artist’s style or technique.
There are many different styles of art, and each one has its own historical context. Despite this, the majority of artworks are made in the same way: with paint, ink or pencil on a surface. This can include canvas, paper, wood and even plaster walls. The process of creating an artwork stimulates the brain and encourages flexible thinking. It is believed that making art can also help to improve mental health and alleviate depression. Studies have shown that creating art, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, reduces the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body.
A work of art can have a variety of interpretations, and it is important to be aware that an artwork will be understood in a different way by everyone who sees it. It is also worth remembering that an artwork is not about what it appears to be on the surface, but what it actually means to the viewer. Artwork titles can have a significant influence on this, and some works are known by informal names rather than their official ones. For example Jackson Pollock’s 1952 work Blue poles was originally called Number 11.