Visual_Arts-_Practice

Discuss how the techniques of practice that artists use, enable them to be identified as members of particular groups, styles or movements in the artworld. To be identified as members of groups, styles or movements in the artworld, an artist must hold a certain set of skills or techniques which differentiates their work and places it into one of these catagories. Jackson Pollock, Brett Whiteley and Cllaude Monet are all examples of artists whom have particular painting styles or techniques which causes them to be identified as part of these catagories. Insert info on modernism here. Jackson Pollock, an American painter born in 1912 has an expressive form and tecnique of painting which causes him to be catagorised as an ‘Abstract Expressionist’ artists. His 1952 painting ‘Blue Poles (number ,11 1952) is an example of his unique painting technique. The painting is enamel and aluminium paint with glass on canvas and even its size is a defining factor of pollocks art making practice. The painting is just over two meters in height and just inder five meters in width, the large scale enables Pollock to stand above his painting anf use the rhythm of his bodies movements as he throws paint on the canvas. “when I am painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing… I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image,etc, because the painting has a life of its own… It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise, there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the the painting comes out well.” Insert quote source Pollocks statement proves his connection with he artwork, and it is because of this physical connection and his technique that he was identified as an ‘action painter’. Brett Whiteley is an Australian artist born in 1939 whom, due to his choice of materials, painting style and presentation of his works has been associated with Surrealism and abstraction. Whiteley has also been identified as avant garde movement due to his rejection of modern conventions of art. Whiteley’s 1972-1973 artwork ‘alchemy’ is large mixed media piece that spreads over 18 panels. He used materials such as oil, gold leaf, rock and a range of other unusual materials. His use of colour and swift flow of painting and drawing style was what identified him to be classed as and abstraction artist’. “…as a vision of earth, ocean, sky through transmutations of flesh, genitalia, fornication and landscape, ending with a white sun and serpentine tenticles set against a gold background… Whiteley developed his composition from left to right. But the work can be read either way, or even from the centre, where an image of the word ‘IT’ holds the fulcrum between opposing ideas.” – Barry Pearce, head curator, Australian art, Art Gallery of NSW The statement shows Whiteleys unique use of subject choice and materials and formation, which explains his avante garde position in the art world. Claude Monet was born in France in 1840 and has been labeled as an Impressionist artist due to his technique of colour and open-air style paintings. “Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.”- Claude Monet The artists love for colour is also evident in his 1878 painting ‘Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of June 30, 1878’. This ‘open air’ painting depicts a festival scene in the streets of Paris. The high use of colour further accentuates Monet’s impressionist techniques and label. The three artists all have certain specific techniques in their artmaking practice which enable them to be identified or labeled as ‘abstract expressionist’ ‘leaders of the avante garde art movement’ or impressionists. These labels differentiate them from one another and address their different styles and ideas to art making.