What Is Art?

Meyer Straus. Bayou Teche. 1870 (30x60”) Morris Museum of Art, Augusta Georgia

An art work is the visual expression of an idea or experience created

with skill.

Janet Fish. Monkey Business. 2005. (50 x 80 “) DC Moore Gallery

Art is more than paintings hanging on a wall.

Art Includes:Drawing

Printmaking

Sculpture

Architecture

Photography

Filmmaking

Crafts

Graphic Arts

Industrial and Commercial Design

Computer Arts

Video Arts

Art is Communication

• Art is a language that artists use to express ideas and feelings that everyday words cannot express.

• To fully experience a work of art, you must do more than simply look at it with your eyes. You must develop the ability to perceive.

• To perceive is to become deeply aware through the senses of the special nature of a visual object.

Purposes of Art

Personal Functions

Social Functions

To reinforce and enhance a shared sense identity of those in a family, community or civilization

Spiritual Function

Artists may create art to express spiritual beliefs. Art of this form could be used to reinforce the spiritual beliefs of an individual or a human community.

Physical Functions

Artists and craftspeople constantly invent new ways to create and design functional art.

These artists include industrial designers, architects, fashion designers, jewelry makers, potters, wood carvers and others.

Educational Function

In the past many folks could not read. Art was a method of communication through the use of symbols.

During the Middle Ages artists were commissioned by the church to create stained glass windows to tell stories of the Bible.

Educational Function continued:

Also we look at art to learn about the past. Paintings such as Anne of Cleves by Hans Holbein show us people from the past. We can see what they wore and how they looked.

Art as a Lifelong Pursuit

Art can be a part of your lifelong learning. You may choose a career in art or you may just enjoy it as a hobby. For enjoyment folks make art at home by painting, drawing, doing needlecraft or graphic design on the computer. Folks interested in art also take art classes, volunteer at museums and get involved in art programs in their community.

Check Your Understanding

1. What does it mean to perceive?

2. List the five purposes of art.

3. Describe two of the purposes of art.