KNOWLEDGE: in the study of art and gender:
Understanding a specific artwork and/or artist and its time and place of creation and/or viewing within a specific contextual framework.
Identifying, assessing, articulating, and applying individual, sociocultural values and sociocultural contexts about gender in the arts.
Task: WRITE AN ESSAY: (i.e. a short literary composition on a single subject usually presenting the personal opinion/argument of the author supported by evidence from readings and other supporting sources). The essay should be approximately 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced, word-processed, and should cite at least three (3) of the course readings and at least (1) other reference(s) you have found germane to this course and your critique.
You will need to develop the questions that you will explore in the essay. These may be developed before you experience the artwork, or they may be sparked upon your interaction with the work, or as you further contemplate the artist and work. Consider the questions that Perry, Green, Horowitz, and other authors ask in their articles.
A worksheet/proposal for reflection and exploration is available to you as an attachment in this learning module. The final submitted version of the essay is a detailed, researched, and nuanced piece building from your worksheet descriptions. You will be asked to share your analysis with the group on the day the essay is due.
1) Visit a site where you can find original artwork. The goal is for you to experience original artwork, not reproductions. Ideally, you will go to a physical space and interact with the artwork in some way. If you are unable to physically go to a space to view art, please contact me so we may discuss alternatives for you.When you arrive at the space you have chosen, consider utilizing Horowitz’s outline for viewing art from our initial readings. Complete the Art Exploration Worksheet handed out in class. 2) Choose an artist/artwork (or several if it is a theme show) or juxtapose two differing artists/artworks whose art you think would make a good subject for a gender critique. It’s important for you to choose an artwork or artist whose work lends itself to this type of questioning strategy so that you will have plenty of material with which to work. An ideal situation would be to interview the artist.3) Complete the Art Exploration Worksheet handed out in class as you begin to develop the critique of a specific artwork you selected to experience.
4) Taking what you wrote in the worksheet, apply the themes, readings, discussions, etc. from this course to construct an essay around the work. It could deal with male or female imagery, the artist’s intent, the process or style of making the art, the subject matter, the context for viewing, depictions of power or privilege, accessibility or belonging, etc. It should not focus on the difference between nudity and nakedness. If you choose to explore these topics, it should be very significant to your analysis and interpretation of the work. Allow the details of the work to bring out the analysis and interpretation around questions for gender and art. Decode it and encode it to make the meaning.5) Research your selected artist, artwork, and gender issues within the artwork you selected that will further support and assist the development of your analysis and interpretation of this work.
You MUST use sources found using the databases in the Art & Gender Research Guide. See:
6) Write an approximately 4-5 page essay that includes at minimum:
An introduction
Detailed, specific descriptions of the artwork and where you found it (include a sketch or photo of the work)
An analysis of the art in relation to class themes, readings, lectures, and discussions (Include AT LEAST four specific supporting references. Cite all sources used for ideas. Please see the syllabus and “Course Information” link for further information and guidelines on academic honesty.) The analysis should draw directly and immediately from what the image tells you through details such as composition, scale, line, color, movement, and the like. Apply descriptions of details in the artwork to build your analysis and interpretations.
Your personal opinion/argument (this should flow with the analysis and apply the selected readings and related sources as supporting and/or guiding evidence)
A conclusion
A reference list of resources cited (please use APA, MLA, or another very consistent citation style throughout the essay)