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Public Art
Despite the old myths of
impoverished artists working in
isolation and their work only
being sold and making money
when they’re dead just isn’t true.
Neither is it true that successful
artists are dead, white, European
men. Britain, perhaps more than
anywhere else, currently
supports and celebrates men,
women from all cultural
backgrounds working in the arts.
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Public Art
How do you measure a person’s success
or status?
A loving family?
Happiness in your job?
Income and what it can
buy?
Public renown/fame?
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Public Art
Today’s artists can be successful in all of
those.
Why?
Because society recognises and
appreciates what they do as special, they
are held in high esteem. Along with this
earned status comes fulfilment across the
board.
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Public Art
As our society continues to become
increasingly reliant upon the visual image.
Artists are finding more and more outlets
for employment.
However, one significant source of income
continues to be the public art commission.
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Public Art
What is a commission?
A specific brief for a piece of art.
Patron
Artist
The person or
organisation that
places the order
for the art (brief),
chooses the
artist and pays
for it.
The people
who translate
the brief into a
piece of art.
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Audience
The consumer
and critic of the
work of art.
Media
Much public or civic art is architectural or
sculptural – this art is intended to make a
statement.
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Examples in Bradford…
JOHN BOYNTON PRIESTLEY (1894-1984)
GRANDAD'S CLOCK
AND CHAIR 1992
FIBRES, ST BLAISE SQUARE
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Audience
The difficult thing about a public
commission is that the artist has to please
so many people.
For a piece of public art in this school who
is the potential audience?
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Audience
Students age 11-19, younger brothers and
sisters, male & female, staff age 24-60,
parents, grandparents, governors, white,
black, Asian, working-class, middleclass…..
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So what do the audience want?
Historical/contemporary imagery?
Fun/serious?
Interesting/provocative/informative/decorative?
Does it need to be immediately understood?
Does the imagery even need to be
recognisable / can it be abstract?
What imagery is inappropriate?
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What is Public Art?
Public Art is art that is produced usually through public funds for a mass
general audience. What is a mass general audience?
Why is public art relevant? Why is it important? What does it bring to our
lives?
How much does it cost? How much does the artist earn?
Funds can be given from a range of sources. Taxes and donations are the
usual sources. Public to see learn and enjoy.
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How is it produced?...
•
•
•
•
•
3d sculpture
Drawing and sketching
charcoal/ pastel / lead
Painting – watercolour/Acrylic and oil
Architecture
A work of art for public seeing
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Year 9 Challenge…
• To create a piece of Public painting for
Challenge College
• The painting must develop from the idea of
Community
• To work in small groups, researching,
designing and producing it.
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Examples of Community Art…
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Task 1: Work to do…
• Develop theme – Brainstorm - Community
industry
Sports (teams)
education
Multi – cultural
community
The Community
of Bradford
What does Bradford
mean to you?
Research the ideas, beliefs and values represented in your local area at
Different times
and cultures
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Does art have to be obvious?
• Be as creative as possible.
Do we have to understand it? No !!
Does it have to be obvious…no!!
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Once your work has been
checked…
• You may then begin to create your
painting.
• Your square will be added to the rest of the
groups to create a larger piece of art
• This will emphasise the Community we are
in, and how by working together can
inspire others to create something
beautiful……..
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What it may look like…
you may decide
To sketch and
Paint ideas like this…
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Critical appreciation..
• Whats interesting? Whats not? Who
agrees? Who doesn’t? evaluate ?
• Of drawing
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