The new way to analyze artwork in a classroom.

Finding the meaning of an artwork has always been difficult for me, and I think for many others as well. We might not know exactly what the artist was thinking or what his or hers intention was for their work but we can get one step closer to understand their thoughts about creating. After looking at " looking at art using blooms taxonomy" and the M.C Escher worksheet, it gave me more confidence to analyze works of art because there are questions being broken apart to get meaning rather than just one question " what does this painting mean?".  For our class assignment we were to make our own format to analyze artworks from one artist. I decided to do Robert Williams, he is a contemporary artist who focuses on a theory of realm of violated graphic physics, abstract art and a hint of surrealism. He was said to be one who progressed realism and the new art " LowBrow". He was also a founder of the Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine. I think this subject is something students are interested in because it is what their around everyday. Graphic magazines, video games, television and technology is something that has taken over their reality. So, why not give them work that will interest them? What middle school or high school student wants to look at still lives or something along that line? Following the "trend" of today is important in keeping students engaged I think. This image below is my example of the M.C Escher worksheet of the artist Robert Williams...

 

• The first image is titled: "The Persuasion of Right Angles" and my question below ask to:  Examine the movement. Why is the woman being pulled? What significance does the cubical spiral bring to this composition?

• The second image is titled: "The Fear of Green" and I ask the students to answer: Robert Williams placed a large green paint can in the center, what is it referring to? What is the woman doing?

• Finally, the third image is titled:  "In the Land of Retinal Delights". Under the image I had students answer these questions to help analyze the painting... Describe what you see. What is closest to you? Why is there only one large eye in our direction?

Changes might occur, this was just a draft and a way to provide students to analyze work from Robert Williams. By doing so will help students get the big idea and meaning of his work.