10 Critiques

November 17th, 2009, 04:52 PM

Hello all,
I need your help!

I'm in the running for an art gallery position, as sales, with the possibility of moving up to a directorship within two years. I'm getting hired based on my VIP service and sales background, not because of my art background (which is very limited).

As part of training he mentioned a 10 point system for art critiques, which I found wonderful but daunting. You start out with an index card; you analyze an artist/piece by writing down 10 things you like about it. Then you read a bio, and maybe change some of your 10 to something that interested you. Then you talk with the owner, and he tells you what he likes, and if you want you can change some of your 10 again... at the end you have a 10 point discussion ready.

I'm worried that when I view a piece, I may not be able to write down 10 things right away!!! I was wondering if you all could help me make a formula that will give me some a basis for my 10?

This is what I have so far, and I'm open to all thought-provokers! As you can see, I don't quite have 10, and I've taken some from the elements of art, but still need some more!

1. First Impression:
2. Use of Color:
3. Texture:
4. Lines:
5. Theme:
6. Space:
7. Emotion:
8.
9.
10.

Thank you for reading my long and rambling post....

John · November 18th, 2009, 11:38 PM

If it's a representational painting, then you can look at the denotative and connotative and allegorical and psychoanalytical meaning of the specific elements, etc. If it's pure abstraction, then you may need to do some tap dancing.

Here's one other thing I look for in any artistic work: joy. George C. Scott talked about the "joy of performance" to be found in great actors, and I believe it applies equally to other artistic/creative fields as well. This should not be taken to mean that a work or performance must be "happy" or upbeat, of course. But there's a joy, an enthusiasm, an energy, that manifests whenever people are creating or discovering something significant.

John · November 20th, 2009, 12:54 AM

P.S. You would also normally place the work in the context of the artist's overall oeuvre, possibly bringing in other artists known to be influences on this artist. Obviously this works best for artists the gallery has a relationship with; if you're looking at the portfolio of someone who just walked in off the street, the context will be limited to whatever you're told or can intuit.

November 17th, 2009, 04:52 PM	#1
DanielleMarie Posts: n/a	10 Critiques Hello all, I need your help! I'm in the running for an art gallery position, as sales, with the possibility of moving up to a directorship within two years. I'm getting hired based on my VIP service and sales background, not because of my art background (which is very limited). As part of training he mentioned a 10 point system for art critiques, which I found wonderful but daunting. You start out with an index card; you analyze an artist/piece by writing down 10 things you like about it. Then you read a bio, and maybe change some of your 10 to something that interested you. Then you talk with the owner, and he tells you what he likes, and if you want you can change some of your 10 again... at the end you have a 10 point discussion ready. I'm worried that when I view a piece, I may not be able to write down 10 things right away!!! I was wondering if you all could help me make a formula that will give me some a basis for my 10? This is what I have so far, and I'm open to all thought-provokers! As you can see, I don't quite have 10, and I've taken some from the elements of art, but still need some more! 1. First Impression: 2. Use of Color: 3. Texture: 4. Lines: 5. Theme: 6. Space: 7. Emotion: 8. 9. 10. Thank you for reading my long and rambling post....

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November 18th, 2009, 11:38 PM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 868	If it's a representational painting, then you can look at the denotative and connotative and allegorical and psychoanalytical meaning of the specific elements, etc. If it's pure abstraction, then you may need to do some tap dancing. Here's one other thing I look for in any artistic work: joy. George C. Scott talked about the "joy of performance" to be found in great actors, and I believe it applies equally to other artistic/creative fields as well. This should not be taken to mean that a work or performance must be "happy" or upbeat, of course. But there's a joy, an enthusiasm, an energy, that manifests whenever people are creating or discovering something significant.

November 20th, 2009, 12:54 AM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 868	P.S. You would also normally place the work in the context of the artist's overall oeuvre, possibly bringing in other artists known to be influences on this artist. Obviously this works best for artists the gallery has a relationship with; if you're looking at the portfolio of someone who just walked in off the street, the context will be limited to whatever you're told or can intuit.