Structural Lens
Creating a written analysis of an artwork through the structural lens requires you to break down the physical and visual aspects of the artwork. You must start by knowing the didactic information.
You will also need to decode the artist’s visual language to determine their visual communication, its components, conventions, signs and symbols.
This should lead to an informed interpretation supported by the description of effects evident in the artwork of the aesthetic qualities (adjectives) created by the artist.
When preparing for an analysis you should research the artist and the time the lived in first.
In an examination, you may be required to respond immediately to artworks you have never seen before.
Didactic Information
- Who is the artist?
- What is the title of the artwork?
- What year was the artwork made?
- What is the artform?
- What are the dimensions of the artwork?
The structure of an artwork
- What is the physical structure of the artwork?
- What artform has been used?
- What process has been applied with the materials and techniques? (General)
- Was the artwork created with traditional or contemporary processes?
Subject Matter
- What are the people, things or places you see in the artwork?
- Is the artwork non-representational? (Does not depict any readable image)
- What is the idea or meaning of the artwork in relation to what you see?
(This may also need prior research to identify in terms of the context of the work)
Visual language: Components and conventions in an artwork
- How are the artist’s ideas being communicated visually in the artwork? (aesthetic qualities)
- What elements and principles of art have been predominantly used by the artist to convey their idea or message?
- How has the artist arranged the composition to support the portrayal of their ideas and messages?
- How has the application of the materials and techniques contributed to the visual communication of the ideas and messages?
- Has the artist created this artwork with an individual style or a style used in a specific art movement by groups of artists?
- Are any of the above components of an artwork used symbolically to encode their ideas?
- Does the exhibition and presentation of an artwork contribute to the audience’s ability to interpret the artist’s ideas and meaning?
(Context and method of exhibition, exhibition physical space, presentation/framing, audience access and traffic, approaches to display and accompanying information.)
Art terminology: You must know the meaning of the following in terms of art analysis.
- Visual language
- Aesthetic qualities
- Artform, materials and techniques
- Subject matter
- Composition
- Elements of Art
- Principles of Art
- Art movements and styles