Artist Statement Final Reflection

Written Critique | Worksheet              Name ________________ Period    ________

Mrs. Makely’s pottery I classes

What is a critique?

A critique is an oral or written discussion strategy used to analyze, describe, and interpret works of art. Critiques help students hone their persuasive oral and writing, information-gathering, and justification skills.

This worksheet will help you gather information to write out your description of your project. You will also be including an analysis, interpretation, and judgment of your final sculptural art work in pottery one.

Description

Describe the work without using value words such as "beautiful" or "ugly":

·         What is the written description on the label or in the program about the work?

·         What is the title and who is (are) the artist(s)?

·         When and where was the work created?

·         Describe the elements of the work (i.e., line movement, light, space).

·         Describe the technical qualities of the work (i.e., tools, materials, instruments).

·         Describe the subject matter. What is it all about? Are there recognizable   images?

Include in Paragraph 1  

Description - Give only the facts.  Include; title of your piece, identify the subject, media, size. Describe your sculpture, what do you see – the form, the textures, the color, use of the art elements etc. Do not be critical, just the facts, anyone looking at the work should be able to see the same things.

Title of work______________

Size____________________

Subject _________________ 

Media___________________

Content Description:

What type of form did you create (be specific)? Describe your piece. Only give the facts.

Include in Paragraph 2

What is the purpose/function of the piece? Functional or nonfunctional – What is its use as a sculpture? 

Analysis

Describe how the work is organized as a complete composition:

•         How is the work constructed or planned (i.e., acts, movements, lines)? 
•         Identify some of the similarities throughout the work (i.e., repetition of lines).
•         Identify some of the points of emphasis in the work (i.e., specific scene, figure,                 movement).
•         If the work has subjects or characters, what are the relationships between or                   among them?

Analysis - Still facts. How did you organize this sculpture: the form, the decorative aspects, etc.? Talk about your use of the principles of design,  (BURPME). For example, what is the emphasis or the part that attracts the viewer’s eyes?  If your work is visually balanced, explain what makes it so. Is your work symmetrical or asymmetrical?  What unifies the work or makes everything look like it belongs together? Etc.

What are your (color) ideas – how you finished your sculpture?

Composition & Design (Analysis)

• What does the piece look like using the (Elements of Art: color, size, form, texture, value, space, shape, line)? Explain your composition (Principles of Design: rhythm, variety, unity, contrast, emphasis, harmony, balance)

•  What decorative aspects set your work apart from others?

Interpretation

• Describe how the work makes you think or feel:
• Describe the expressive qualities you find in the work. What expressive language would you use to describe the qualities (i.e., tragic, ugly, funny)?
• Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced (i.e., analogy or metaphor)?
• How does the work relate to other ideas or events in the world and/or in your other studies? 

Include in Paragraph 3

Interpretation – All works of art communicate an idea, feeling, or message. 

You are critiquing your own piece.  What kind of feeling, idea or message do you want this sculpture to communicate to viewers?

Interpretation 

• What is the mood of the work (how does it make you feel)?
•  What is the message expressed through your form, surface design, and color? 

Include in Paragraph 4

Judgment or Evaluation

Present your opinion of the work's success or failure:

•    What qualities of the work make you feel it is a success or failure?
•    Compare it with similar works that you think are good or bad.
•     What criteria can you list to help others judge this work?
•    How original is the work? Why do you feel this work is original or not original?

Judgment – There are many ways by which critics evaluate a work of art. In this paragraph judge your work for its quality of construction and visual impression. Be honest complement yourself by noting the strengths of your piece, and allow you are self to grow by recognizing areas that could be improved.

 Evaluation Judgment
Craftsmanship & technique notes:

How did you choose this aesthetic (style)? What was your inspiration? 

• What would you do differently if you could do the assignment over? Do you allow yourself to grow as an artist?