How do I cope with presentations of artwork? And cope with explaining myself intelligibly?

Question

I am doing fine art (visual arts) in September. I know that I will have a lot of presentations and I shall be grilled like a tomato in front of other people.

Does anyone know any good books to read to prepare me or at least for me to come up with good enough reasons why I have created the work I have. My verbal intelligence is so-so but I want to be ready when I get wrongly criticised.

Thank you all in advance.

Answer 1

First of all, you want to present yourself intelligently not intelligibly but now I see your point.

Second, sit down and write in a log about why you created the work. It's difficult to explain the reason to others if you are not clear yourself.

Third, get a group of art friends together and have them ask you questions about your art. This should give you a good ideal of what others might ask you. Write these questions down and think about how to answer them in your own words.

Then get a friend who is good with grammar or maybe even a professional editor to go over the answers with you and rewrite them to sound more professional.

If you are prepared ahead of time then you won't get so flustered when you're in the spotlight.

Last but most importantly, remember... no one has to like or understand your art except YOU. Everybody has a different opinion when it comes to art and whose to say something is good and right or bad and wrong. Art is done for arts sake and a critics' job is basically to nit pick. Listen to what they have to say but you don't have to agree. It's just their opinion.

If you would like me to evaluate your art and come up with questions, email me.

Answer 2

Having gone back to art college as a mature student, I know what you're thinking about ... my advice is not to worry, because no matter what you do, the tutors will grill you and grill you, and you'll feel like such a wally for wasting all that time preparing so much for what seems like nothing at all.

Here's the thing: all you have to be able to do is stand over your work, and give good reasons for the decisions you make. Yes, you have to be able to answer their horrible questions - and they will seem horrible - but once you feel able to say with conviction: 'This is what I have decided to go' and 'this is the direction I have decided on', they will be more supportive. Yes, they will question every step you take, but it's not to catch you out. It's to make sure you have explored all the possibilities involved in taking those steps. The idea is to make you question why you're doing what you're doing.

As for 'verbal intelligence' or the ability to articulate - well, anything you read should help that. And actually going to college and learning to talk the talk will really help too. You probably won't be the only one in this situation, remember this.

'Wrongly criticised' - wow. That comes across as defensive. The thing is, you have to be prepared for people not liking or getting what you produce, it's par for the course. Damien Hirst is considered a genius, but personally I'm not crazy about his work, but I do think he is extremely clever. The thing about criticism is that it is supposed to make you think about what you are doing and then you figure out ways to do it better. If you're afraid of people being negative or critical about what you do/make, don't go to art college.

Answer 3

Most of this is confidence-related, if you really stop and look at it. The greatest artists in the world were not necessarily scholars, just brilliant artists. They did what they did because it simply flowed from them. I would think back to why you grouped certain things the way you did, what you were feeling, and what you wanted to convey in the works you created. Speak from the heart and you can't go wrong. Come across as too intelligent and bookish, and you could sound pretentious. Just be yourself and tell people why your heart took you in the directions it did, and I bet you will be great! Trust me on this - I got a full scholarship to a school of the arts and met many, many people who dressed all in black, spoke of the arts in lofty ways, and honestly, as a result they were not taken seriously by those they were trying so hard to impress. You'll do great if you follow the written works you are assigned to read, and explain your work with confidence!

Answer 4

If you go to artbusiness.com they cover alot of topics, you might be able to find something there. Don't look at it as being grilled but merely as inquisitive minds that want to know. Don't get too deep when explaining your art, keep it simple, and as for trying to come up with good reasons why you created it in the first place i find it easier for me to break it down into three catagories. Was it color, the subject, or is there a story behind it. Do not use technical art terms to describe your art, the person you are talking to may not understand them. Remember, you don't have to defend your work, so don't let bad critisizm get to you, remain calm. Good luck.

Answer 5

You can't read a book to tell you why you painted something. All you have to do is tell them what your reasoning was. And you know, if they don't like it, screw 'em. I'm an artist, and I took a Ceramics course not too long ago. We were supposed to emulate an artist's style of our choice (teapots only). I chose Nancy Adams, and to spoof her, made a flamingo coming out of a palm tree. I laughed the whole time and the other artists looked down at me because I could enjoy art, and I didn't necessarily have to have a deep, spiritual meaning behind my work. I think making people laugh is enough. Art is an expression of your -self-, not 'I did this because everybody else likes that sort of thing.' Don't freak. It'll be fun. Ignore the paint-splatterers.

Answer 6

Think about things they might ask you, and prepare answers.

Make sure you know your area well, and you should be able to wing the questions you're not prepared for.

When the time comes, try to relax and do your best.