Artist research:
Analyzing Art Works by Other Artists
Here are some questions to begin the process of analyzing art work
- Record the artist’s name, title, date, size and media.
Mark Tansey, Reverb 2017, 84x60cm, oil on Canvas
2. Describe your first impression of the work. What is being conveyed?
I feel an aura of dreamlike nostalgia, there is an endless array of paintings upon the wall like gazing into endless different dreams.
3. What is the subject matter of the work? What type of imagery is explored? Is it abstract or representational? Does the title add meaning to the art?
Reverb is a surrealist piece that explores the theme of vanity and cultural icon obsession, the woman in the dress gazes at a wall filled with pictures of celebrities taken from tabloids as well as a mirror with her own reflection. The woman seems entranced by the pictures as well as her own reflection completely ignoring the man trying to make conversation with her. Reverb refers the persistence of sound in a space caused by the waves of sound echoes across surfaces, there is and endless amount of space within this piece so it is a rather fitting title.
4. Describe the materials and the techniques of the art work.
Reverb uses a monochromatic colour scheme almost reminiscent of a cyanotype, the work utilizes a one point perspective, the rendering is very soft which is achieved by applying gesso then washing, brushing and scraping paint onto the canvas
5. Describe the Elements of Design. Do they add meaning to the art piece?
Line, Value, Texture, Shape and Volume. Space and Colour.
The piece is very spacious, it feels like the wall with the pictures goes on forever which contributes to its surreal feeling.
6. Describe how the Principals of Design work? How is the use of space organized?
Is there a focal point? What parts are emphasized? Does the balance, rhythm, unity and variety effect the mood of the picture?
The work uses a one point perspective with the focal point being at the back right of the piece, this places the viewer to the right of the table. The piece almost exudes a sense of endless curiosity as you want to gaze at each and every picture.
7. What is your final impression of the work now that you have considered all the technical and conceptual considerations?
The perspective really makes this piece feel like gazing into a dream, placing the table near the viewer amplifies the sense of depth making the work feel like a picture rather than a painting which is not something a surrealist work of art would intend to do.