The Visual Arts: an Overview

Introducing some of the different types and styles of art to be encountered today, and throughout history.

The visual arts are a familiar part of life, and can influence the way we think, feel and our attitudes to people, things and events.

“The Laud is My Shepherd” by Osmond Watson of Jamaica

Some artists, known as ‘Fine artists’ are motivated by a desire to express ideas, dreams, feelings and their appreciation of beauty in nature. The above and following are some examples. Works of art like these will be found mostly in Art Galleries.

“First Communion” by Calixte Henry of Haiti

“Palm Landscape” by Leo Glasgow of Trinidad and Tobago

Another Caribbean artist, Shalini, creates colourful art-works that reflect the cultural influence of India

Person viewing Shalini’s paintings in an art gallery setting

“The Guitar Player” by the U.S, artist Joseph Stella

Sometimes artists like to work on a large scale - this piece, called “Woman on a Bicycle”, is by the artist Knox Martin and is located on an outside wall of a building above a busy New York street.

3-d Art

Three-dimensional art is known as ‘sculpture’ of which there are many different styles, sizes and types, such as the example above, a ‘kinetic’ (moving) sculpture (also known as a ‘mobile’) by Alexander Calder.

Another ‘Kinetic’ sculpture, called “Discotech2”, by Vince Murray.

Some large sculptures are located in public areas, such as this example, called “Chaos3”, which is situated in a US shopping mall.

The Graphic Arts

Many different areas of work are found in the field of the graphic arts. The following slides show just a few examples of work produced by graphic artists.

Cartoonists add humour to our lives. ‘Peanuts’ characters by Charles M. Shultz

Graphic Designers produce original designs for items such as CD covers…

… book covers…

… movie posters…

… and events posters, such as these for music gigs.

Other ways that professional ‘commercial’ artists can earn their living include: computer animation, advertising, auto-body spray-art, and stage design. Other careers involving art and design are: teacher, architect, film-maker, fashion designer, town planner, product designer, make-up artist, interior designer and art therapist.

History of Art

Artists and designers working in the present day often look to the art of the past for inspiration.

These drawings were done on rocks using natural earth pigments, in Mali, West Africa, about 15,000 years ago.

Painting on the wall of the tomb of Queen Nefertari, in Egypt, which was done around 3000 B.C.

A mosaic done in 333B.C. It reflects the battle-loving nature of that era.

Painting representing a prophetess, done on the ceiling of a chapel in Rome, around 1500 A.D. (about 500 years ago), by the Italian artist Michaelangelo. He was one of the well- known artists of a period known as the Renaissance (rebirth)

Another famous artist of the Renaissance was Leonardo Da Vinci. This painting of ‘The Last Supper’ was done on the wall of a monastery, and has suffered from deterioration (flaking off etc.) over the years. Art restorers care for old and damaged works of art.

Artists have sought to portray (show) events in cultural history, so that those events are ‘brought back to life’ in a visual way. Painting on a wall (‘mural’) by the Mexican artist Diego Riviera.

About 150 years ago, artists began to experiment with different ‘styles’ and this was the beginning of what is referred to as ‘modern art’. The example shown here is in the ‘Impressionist’ style.

“Starry Night”, an Expressionist painting by Vincent Van Gogh.

Cubism was a style that redefined ideas about beauty. It was partly influenced by African art, such as the Tchokwe mask, below.

Surrealism portrayed the strange images seen in dreams.

Some artists imitated a child-like or ‘primitive’ style so as to express a particular mood.

Conclusion:

Practically anything goes regarding art styles: the artist can now work in the style that suits them best, as long as it’s done with dedication!