Appreciating a Work of Art

CEBU, Philippines — It looks like the average person does not have an eye for art. Not that he or she does not like art; in fact he or she probably takes art appreciation as a necessary personal challenge. In a practical sense, it is good for one’s image if one ‘understands’ art, especially visual art or painting.   

Unlocking the meaning behind a painting is one of the many joys of trained art viewers and art collectors. The term “trained” is key. With the average person, the skill does not come naturally.

There is an air of elitism surrounding the art world. People have the notion that one must be “in-the-know” to truly appreciate artwork. It is not necessarily true but, yes, it needs a little education – at least enough to make one know what to look for in an artwork.

Art, according to the website www.parkwestgallery.com, can be and can do many things – it can be an expression of emotions, it can represent a feeling or idea. Furthermore, the website points out that art can make statements or simply be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Regardless of the type of art, the website adds, artwork requires context in order to understand the meaning behind it.

The www.parkwestgallery.com website explains that in examining a work of art, clues about its meaning can be gleaned from within the work itself. Looking at and comprehending art, the website says, is all about taking the time to view, identify and think. And the website offers a guide for the art neophyte:

Viewing the art.  This seems like an obvious first step, but it’s more than quickly glancing at the artwork and drawing a conclusion. Before stepping back and taking the whole sense of the artwork in, one shall take a moment to identify the artwork’s basic qualities: Is it a painting, sculpture, or graphic work? Is it on canvas or another medium? Is the texture rough or smooth? Does it appear chaotic or organized? Is it large or small? Are the colors bright or subdued?

All of these are elements the artist chose when designing the artwork, so they warrant consideration. It is also valuable to consider whether a different vantage point changes the sense of the artwork. This is especially important for sculptures, or works of art that transform at different angles.

Identify the art and the artist. Aside from the visual elements, knowing when or how the artwork was made reveals more context. The famous “Guernica” (1937) by Pablo Picasso is a sight to behold on its own, but knowing that Picasso composed the painting in response to the bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War helps in understanding its anti-war symbolism. Yet even if the historical context of an artwork is not apparent, knowing the year of its creation offers an idea as to the broader events taking place at the time.

In all cases, learning something about the artist undeniably adds to the appreciation of his art. The fact, for example, that an artist loves listening to music when he paints gives a solid basis for appreciating his art.

Think about the meaning.  The viewer may use what he observed in the first two steps to think about meanings and narratives the artwork could have. The title of the art is a good starting point. It helps to consider what the subjects or symbols meant to the artist when he created the artwork. What do the colors say about the artist, and how do they apply to the subjects in the art?

Some art works are not as difficult to interpret. But in the case of more abstract or conceptual art, there may not be literal depictions of subjects or ideas, and therefore require a bit more thought.

The viewer may also ask how the art makes him feel. Many artists have specific meanings behind their art, but also encourage viewers to come up with their own interpretations. In this way, there is no “right” answer that must be reached in unlocking the painting’s mysteries.

Discover your tastes. Applying these techniques to every work of art one comes across may seem daunting, but one important fact shall prevail: There’s no need to look at everything.

The www.parkwestgallery.com website explains that “the idea of applying this technique to everything in a gallery is like going to a restaurant and eating every dish in one sitting. Doing so will probably leave you feeling overstuffed.” Instead, the website advices to find what one likes and enjoy it; and to know that if he wants to try something different, he may move on.