The following is a
short extract from an article in Huffpost Arts &Culture. Stephen Tanenbaum,
President & Co-Founder of UGallery, wrote the piece. I have published the
extract here because it seemed to chime with where I am with my art and what I
really think matters when choosing art. I hope you enjoy the article and find
it useful. As always if you have any comments, or articles you would like me to publish here, I would be pleased to read
them.
What to look for when
choosing art:
Cohesive Style: As an artist evolves, they typically
start to focus on a specific subject or technique. This creates repetition in
their work, and repetition leads to more mature, refined work.
Originality: As an artist evolves, their work starts
to be their own. They transition from mimicking others to creating unique art.
Look for artists who have progressed to their own styles and themes.
Content: Select art that is original, intriguing
and legible. Seek out pieces that stimulate your senses, tell stories, and lead
to interesting discussions. Be careful with emotionally dark or violent art; it
is often powerful at first, but it isn’t as versatile and you may get tired of
it over time.
Emotional Connection: Great art leaves a lasting impression.
Look for pieces that keep your attention even after you’ve stopped looking at
them.
Artist’s Background: Avoid looking only for artists you have
formal training (some of the best artists are self-taught!), but do look for
signs of dedication and credibility. At UGallery, we believe art is primarily a
learned skill. Well-prepared art takes an incredible amount of thought and
technique, so look for artists that demonstrate a love and commitment to their
practice.
Balance Between Process
and Product: Look for balance
between conceptual meaning and the finished piece. Great art must challenge the
viewer and offer new perspectives. For the purpose of display and collecting,
it must also be well constructed and ready to present.
Quality: Pay attention to the quality of the
materials and whether a piece is well-finished. This also demonstrates the
artist’s dedication and practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment