Rationale:

Below are the fundamental categories of all art works. This is not to suggest that a particular art work could not fit into more than one category or even that it is right to pigeon hole the work of individual artists. Rather, we can use these categories as a reference point to understand, discuss, or assess art works.

Symbolic art

Observational art

Expressive art

Using this list:

Artists are frequently in search of ideas and they use various strategies to find them. Further, if you think of art history as a conversation about art, you might recognize that its been going on for hundreds of years. To join the conversation, to learn from it, challenge it, and contribute to it, we should all do our part to be informed. This list helps to give a context for such conversations and inquiries.

Art students frequently find themselves looking for ideas and have the problem compounded by not having had the experiences making art works that deal with a wide range of subject matter. A strategic use of this list may help you to broaden your experiences in, and appreciation for, art making.

Art Journal:

The same variety of subjects should appear in your personal Art Journal drawings. Keep records of your research into artists and movements from Symbolic Art,Observational art, and Expressive art.

 

Document created by Paul Syme.