International Guild of Realism
Eighth Annual Juried Exhibition
Points of View
by Mary Erickson Ph.D.
Education Consultant & Professor of Art
with Ellen Murray Meissinger
Artist and Professor of Art
The world can look and feel
very different depending on
your place in it.
The people in this painting are
taking many different points of
view.
Choose one person and take
his or her point of view. Does
the point of view make you feel
dominant, admiring,
oppressed, powerful, excited
or does it suggest another
feeling?
Steve Rude
When artists show us people, places, or things in their art,
they choose a point of view for the viewer. They show us
things as seen:
• from above (bird’s eye view),
• from below (worm’s eye view) or
• from eye level (straight on).
What viewpoint did the photographer use in each photo?
Which of these paintings shows how an animal looks when
we view it from above?
Which painting shows an animal as seen from lower down?
How can you tell?
Vala Ola
Pamela Mangelsdorf
We, the viewers, are looking
down on this big-horned
sheep. He is looking up at us.
By choosing the viewpoint
from above, Pamela
Mangelsdorf makes this
powerful sheep seem just a
bit more timid and watchful
than if he were looking down
on us from above.
Vala Ola used a low viewpoint in Dash and Grandeur. We, the
viewers, are at eye level with the jackrabbit and are looking up at
the horse.
The horse seems more grand seen from below -- even if he does
look a little worried by the rabbit.
We can almost imagine that the rabbit is in charge.
The settings (or surroundings) of artworks and the positions of things in
those settings can add drama or help tell a story. What is the setting for
each dog? Which dog is:
under?
inside of?
behind?
on top of ?
between?
What do you see in the setting surrounding the green
truck in Dave Kurz’s painting, Griff’s Place? How does
the setting help tell a story?
You are invited to visit the International Guild of Realism
exhibition at the Tempe Center for the Arts to see dramatic
artworks that tell stories.
Karen Budan
Thank you to the following artists for the use of their
artworks in this presentation.
Karen Budan
Dave Kurz
Pamela Mangelsdorf
Vala Ola
Steve Rude
Support for this curriculum unit was made possible by a
grant from the Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts.