Art and the Everyday

Choose the work of one or more artists (maximum 3), and discuss how their work depicts the ‘everyday’. You could, for example, look at the theme of still-life in painting; how in the 19^th century artists and photographers began to incorporate social realism into their art (rather than ‘grand’ themes); how 20^th century artists began to incorporate real objects and materials into their work; the rise of photography in capturing scenes from the everyday; pop art and the critique and pleasures of commercialism; how some artists choose to depict the commonplace and some the strangeness of the everyday; how others want to transform the everyday.

Think about how the medium reflects the intentions of the artist and the aspect of the everyday they wish to convey, i.e. Whose ‘everyday’ is being depicted? How can we relate to historical depictions of everyday life? How does the very notion of the everyday change over time, and how is this reflected in the images?

General points to consider

Choose subjects that interest you. Don’t just choose a topic because you find the most information about it on Wikipedia! Think about them; think about your responses to them; think about why, how, and by whom they were made. Where and when were they made? What is it that they depict? How does the artist inscribe meaning into the art work? Are there any objects or symbols present that we need to understand or read into?

Remember that good critical thinking involves reflecting on our own responses to images, asking questions about them, looking behind surfaces and superficialities, and also reading and researching what artists and art historians or art critics have written about the art and artists.

• Focus on a clear interpretation using clear images and text
• Make sure that the images link up within the overall theme
• Don’t write about irrelevant issues – you only have 1,500 words
• Think about the structure of the essay, i.e. an introduction and conclusion.

POINTS TO CONSIDER IN THE VISUAL ANALYSIS:

• When the paintings were made and what stage in the artist’s career they represent.
• Colour/palette
• The subject of the work, i.e. what is represented – e.g. figure, nude, still life, landscape, portrait of a particular person, etc.
• Location – i.e. which country/region is depicted or where the artist was living at the time.
• Materials/Media – i.e. oil painting, paper cut-outs, collage, bronze sculpture, etc.
• How are the works similar? For example, the subject matter, the palette, the style, the aims of the artist.
• How are the works different? (as above)
• Mood of the work; atmosphere; energy; contrasts or echoes of colour/form/shapes.
• Does it remind you of any other type of art? E.g. decorative arts, music, drawing, etc.

The essay should be 1500 words; 1.5 spaced Times New Roman. You should submit it to on Turnitin. The essay is worth 50% of your final grade.

• Please think about the construction and presentation of your essay. Try to write fluidly, making sure that paragraphs connect, and the essays flows coherently. Do not use bullet points.

• Don’t be afraid to use your imagination

• Try to use your own visual analysis as well as learning more about the artist through your own general research/reading.

• Make sure you give some information about the artist/artists, but keep biographical information relevant to the essay in general and the works in particular – ie. biographical information about where the artist was living at the time, or what stage in the artist’s career the works represent.

• Include images at the end of the essay, with titles and dates.

• Remember to reference properly using APA. You must have at least five intext references.