Visual Arts -­‐ C. Melo Themes in Art
Artistic Expression !
Focuses on aesthetic and media exploration with an emphasis on composition. May be abstract. ARTISTS: Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, Robert Rauschenberg, Gerhard Richter, Denyse Thomasos Looking Inward: The Human Experience/Psychological Expression !
Contemplations of birth, life and death !
Self-­‐Portraits !
Questions human’s place in the universe. !
Human condition – how we relate to each other, why we need each other. !
Expresses our fears and curiosities. !
Reconnecting and taking pride in one’s heritage. !
Exploring our personal experiences. !
May also relate to our dreams, which often convey these thoughts through symbolism. ARTISTS: Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch, Vincent VanGogh, Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance Religion/The Sacred Realm !
Tells a sacred story !
Encourages faith !
A group’s idea about human kind and their relationship with divinity !
May be: o Educational o Historical o Spiritual ARTISTS: Masaccio, Hans Memling, Master of Flemalle Check out MOCRA (Museum of Contemporary Religious Art! – e.g. Patrick Graham Politics and Social Order !
Art has historically served to project the presence and authority of rulers to the people throughout their empire/country. Consider Roman Emperor sculptures, e.g. Bronze statue of emperor Marcus Aurelius. !
With the transition to the modern era, artists depiction of politics and social order often debate the current authority in hopes of change. ARTISTS: Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People Pablo Picasso’s Guernica Jacques-­‐Louis David, Napoleon in his study Visual Arts -­‐ C. Melo Stories and Histories Shared stories are the ways we create a sense of community.Artist often turn to stories whose roots reach into a culture’s collective memory. !
Deeds of heroes !
Lives of saints !
Folktales !
Television episodes Contemporary Perspective & Nature !
Observations of what life is like, here and now, in your current locale and era. !
Observations and depictions of our environment and landscape. ARTIST: Georges Seurat, Bathers at Asnières. Vincent Van Gogh, Tom Thomson, Group of Seven, Emily Carr Love, Sex and Marriage !
Tender meanings of love. !
Abstractions of the female or male form !
Love !
Cynical views of marital life and/or relationships !
Disillusioned domesticity (related to the home and family) !
Embraced domesticity, etc. !
Feminist views ARTISTS: Gustave Klimt, Mary Pratt, Pablo Picasso, Barbara Kruger Questions to ponder: how are your attitudes expressed toward men, women, marriage, sex, and relationships. Fantasy Conjuring an imaginary world. Representation of dreams ARTIST Hieronymus Bosch; Henri Rousseau, The Dream Death and Morbidity Represents the unknown, therefore it is frightening and/or mysterious Sub-­‐themes " Illness " Dreams " Haunting " Mourning " Darkness ARTIST: Edvard Munch