Thoughts on judging a show
Have you wondered how judges approach the artwork in their shows? While every judge has their own method, read on to learn Debra Keirce's thought process as she evaluated each entry in this year's Small Works competition.
OBSERVATIONS
What sticks out in my first impressions? Is anything especially unique? Problem solving in a creative way?
QUESTIONS
Do any pieces address the show theme or categories better than others?
RESEARCH
What is my reaction to the works? Why am I feeling that way about them?
HYPOTHESIS
Which pieces do I think are likely award winners? (I can always change my mind)
INFORMATION GATHERING
Gather information. Use a magnifying glass. Is there symmetry where appropriate? How is the presentation?
DATA ANALYSIS
What data is unimportant? What data makes a difference when assigning awards? Assymetry? texture in shadows? Does the art go beyond just a pretty or provocative image?
CONCLUSIONS
Make sure each award is justified and I can recite the reasons.
IMPACT
The best impact. By impact, I mean the strongest shadow and color shapes - the abstractions that are bold and inviting and make you stop and take notice. It’s interesting.
MESSAGE
By message, I mean a clear sense of what I, as the viewer, am feeling. Are my senses engaged? Are there narratives running through my head as I interpret the art?
CREATIVITY
By creativity, I mean the artist put their own spin on it. You can tell that they were not just copying a photo or a live reference. They were not just taking a random picture. There is thought that went into the composition. The center of interest in each visual is clear. The lines create a pleasing rhythm and the abstractions of color, shape and line are balanced and inviting - in a way that conveys a little about the artist. They put some of themselves into the work. It goes beyond just being a pretty or provocative image.
PRESENTATION
How is the art presented? Would I see those sorts of presentations in a professional art exhibition in a gallery or museum? Would the curators of a museum accept or reject the pieces?
THE EXPERIENCE
Then, I considered experience gained from these artworks. Would it be useful for the artists to do a series of similar pieces for an art show if they were asked to create a solo show? Would they learn and grow in their craft if they attempted such an exercise? Is the experience of the viewer transformative? Does it make me think?
TECHNICAL
Also, I considered the technical aspects of the art. Is it well executed? How does the artists' sense of design hold up? Do they have a good balance of graphics, abstraction, realism, representationalism? In other words, if they created a realistic piece, is it realistic? How are they making round things look round and metal things look metal, for example. If it's a graphic piece, is it the best graphic it can be? If it's abstract, did they master the abstraction? If it's representational, did they keep the work loose, or did they attempt realism and fall short?
Read More
Rose, by Elaine Malott
Handmade Chaps, by Travis Warrington
Overlook at the Lake, by Annette Fuselier
