A work of art is an individual creation, produced with the intention of expressing ideas. It may also be produced for other reasons, such as to communicate a specific message or to raise awareness about a social issue. Artworks can be tangible, such as sculptures, paintings and drawings; or intangible, such as performances (theater, dance, opera, performance art), conceptual works, and video art. Artwork can be a single object or an installation, as well as an entire building or landscape.
The nature of artworks is explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics. Some artworks have clear meanings, while others have no obvious messages or meaning at all. The purpose of art can vary, from the purely decorative to raising awareness about a particular subject or to create beauty. It can be used to express religious or spiritual beliefs, to explore the nature of perception, for pleasure or to provoke strong emotions.
Artwork can be created by a wide range of people, from children to the elderly. It can be made using a variety of materials, including clay, wood, paper, paint, glass and metal. Creating art can be relaxing and satisfying, and it can increase self-esteem and confidence in kids and adults. It can also stimulate the brain and help with memory, concentration and problem-solving. The act of making art can be a social activity, encouraging collaboration and interaction with other people. It can also be a way to escape from the daily grind and to feel more connected to the world around us.
Some physical objects that were originally not intended to be art, such as Dada and Neo-Dada conceptual works, or architectural models of unbuilt projects, have been reclassified as artworks by contemporary critics. The concept of artwork has also been broadened to include ephemeral, non-tangible creations, such as poetry, plays, novels, films, and musical concerts.
An important question to ask about any artwork is whether it is characteristic of an artistic style or movement. Does the work embody certain underlying principles, such as those of realism, surrealism or abstraction? Is the piece influenced by particular historical events, economic situations or cultural settings?
How are shapes organised in the artwork (grouped together; overlapping, clustered or scattered); repeated or echoed; touching at tangents; juxtaposed, stacked or layered; fractals; grid format; geometric; dominant triangle or circular composition)? Are they symmetrical, asymmetrical or balanced (i.e. stable or dynamic)?
Does the artwork explore movement or give the impression of motion (multiple or sequential images; blurred edges; scene frozen in mid-action; kinetic art)? Are parts of the artwork asymmetrical or imbalanced (i.e. balancing tension; creating anticipation or suspense)?
Does the artwork use space effectively? Is the space within the frame or enclosure of the work a focal point or an area to explore? Are parts of the artwork truncated, cropped or shown in full? Is the piece split into two or more pieces such as diptychs and triptychs? Are there patterned borders or broken boundaries?