Picture Analysis

NAME: Excellent Student

DATE: ?/?/201?

PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYZED: Clean Slate by Kaws

SUMMARY/DESCRIPTION:

In his sculpture entitled Clean Slate, artist Kaws depicts a cartoon like character with x’s for eyes

and crossbones through its skull carrying two toddler-like characters who share the same

qualities. The sculpture is a twenty-one-foot bronze statue that weighs over 12,000 pounds. The

special feature of the sculpture is that is overlooks a large pond, also the way in which the larger

statue is holding the younger statues. One of the younger statues is holding on to the larger,

whereas, the other younger statue is being carried lifelessly.

VALUES ANALYSIS:

The major values presented in Kaws sculpture are: despair, death, and nurturing. The value of

despair can seen through one of the smaller statues as it lays limp while it is being carried, this

illustrates that it failed to go throughout the journey by itself and needed help. The value of death

can be seen directly through the artwork as each of the statues features x’s as eyes and

crossbones through the skull of each character. Finally, the value of nurturing is seen through the

largest of the statues, this statue is carrying both of the smaller statues and is assumed to be

walking away from a dreadful seen. Nurturing can be seen through the theme of walking away

from tragedy.

VALUES RELATIONSHIPS:

The values of despair and death are complementary to each other, as both descriptions of their

respected values enhance their own value in Kaws work. The values of death and nurturing as

conflicting as the definition of death is completely opposite to the definition of nurturing, thus

both of these values clash within the artwork. Finally, the values of despair and nurturing are also

conflicting due to the fact that they are on opposite sides when it comes to their definition.

INTEGRATING VALUE RELATIONSHIP:

The values of death, despair, and nurturing all have a unique relationship with the integrating

value of technology. The value of death is conflicting with the value of technology as death

depicts an end to anything, whereas technology often brings about progression. The value of

despair is also conflicting with the value of technology as despair shows a sense of suffering,

whereas technology is used to make life easier for people. Finally, the value of nurturing is

intrinsic to the value of technology as they do not give one another any benefit, they are very

much different values.