Visual analysis
Olu#55
howtodoavisualanalysis.pptxWeek 3 section
Selecting artwork
In Charlottesville? Or, in a location without access to viewing artwork in person?
Choose a work from the Google Gallery on Aboriginal art
Access to a viewing artwork in person
First choice: Aboriginal artwork
Second choice: Indigenous or non-Western artwork
Third choice: any work of art!
Visual analysis assignment: logistics
Visitor in the galleries at the Kluge-Ruhe
Selecting artwork
In Charlottesville? Or, in a location without access to viewing artwork in person?
Choose a work from the Google Gallery on Aboriginal art
Access to a viewing artwork in person
First choice: Aboriginal artwork
Second choice: Indigenous or non-Western artwork
Third choice: any work of art!
Include artwork’s title, artist, date, holding institution in your essay
Download image and include it at the end of Word doc
OR
Take picture of artwork and include it at the end of Word doc
Visual analysis assignment: logistics
Submitting assignment
Step 1: LOOK!
Spend time just looking
Zoom
Note down what strikes you at first sight
Step 2: Consider its formal features
Instead of WHAT is represented….consider HOW the image is presented
Review checklist of things to consider from assignment prompt
…what is visual analysis and how do I do it?
Djambawa Marawili, AM, Baraltja, Baykuldji, Munurru, 2005, National Gallery of Australia
Formal features to consider
Object: Size / shape / medium / material / condition
Formal Elements: line / shape / space / color / light-dark / scale / texture / framing / cropping
Composition: balance / order / proportion / perspective / pattern / framing
Style: genre / geographic / period / individual
Topic: Subject matter / How the formal qualities are used to convey a specific idea of the topic
Location: Installation of object / Relation to other objects around it
Step 1: LOOK!
Spend time just looking
Zoom
Note down what strikes you at first sight
Step 2: Consider its formal features
Instead of WHAT is represented….consider HOW the image is presented
Review checklist of things to consider from assignment prompt
Step 3: Connect formal features to what is represented
How do the formal features contribute to what is depicted/represented?
Step 4: Choose your angle
Choose an aspect from your observations
Use this aspect as the main hinge to organize your paper
…what is visual analysis and how do I do it?
Your assignment
2-3 pages/ 12 point font/ double spaced
Introduce a broad claim about the work’s meaning that will frame what follows
Conduct visual analysis to support that claim, with tangible evidence from the work itself
Extra elements to consider with virtual viewing
Surface
Materiality
Installation
Scale
Garawan Wanambi painting “Marrangu” in 2017 Photo: Kluge-Ruhe
Garawan Wanambi painting “Marrangu” in 2017 Photo: Kluge-Ruhe
198.8 x 79.4 cm this work is over 6 1/2 feet in length!
Questions before we practice?
Nganampa Ngura, Our Country, 2013, acrylic on canvas, Kluge-Ruhe
Gabriel Maralngurra, “Kunwardde Bim Kakukyime (Rock Art Style),” 2019, natural pigments and Reckitt’s Blue on paper, Kluge-Ruhe
