ASSIGNMENT: Research and Presentation on an Artist’s Work and Legacy
The research assignment will be a combination of a paper and a slide presentation. Based on a list of ceramic artists that provide, you should select one of the artists and write an article about his/her life, work, and legacy, emphasizing the ceramic processes and techniques he uses most.
As part of the assignment, you should produce a slide show about the selected artist, with images of his works, as well as any relevant information that you consider important to include.
Directions:
Select an artist from the list (at the end of this text). Send me the name you selected along with a second choice, just in case your first pick has been previously taken.
Do the research and write a paper on the selected artist. A minimum of two pages is the length requirement (not counting the images).
Keep in mind that the paper should be written according to academic standards both in terms of content and presentation. References must be cited if you use a www or any other source.
Slide show: 15 slides minimum; include facts about your artist, and, at least, 12 images of artworks made by the artist.
The following questions can help you with the narrative of the paper and presentation. The questions are only a guide: you do not have to answer all questions, nor should you limit yourself to them. The more information included the more knowledge gained.
When and where was the artist born? Include the artist’s date of death if applicable.
In what country/s did the artist spend most of his or her time creating art?
Is this artist part of an artistic movement or style? For example: Impressionism, surrealism, realism.
Include some information about the movement.
Research one or more important artwork created by the artist. Include some interesting facts about the work.
When was the artwork created?
What makes this artwork interesting?
Where is this artwork currently being displayed?
How much is this artwork worth?
Style of this artwork (figurative or abstraction, coil building or wheel-thrown, etc.)
Technique employed more frequently for building and decorating the artworks
Why was this artist important in contemporary ceramics history?
What are some interesting and or unusual facts about this artist?
What is the legacy or technical contribution to ceramics that this artist has made, if any?
You can also identify what kind of building or glazing ceramic technique the artist used most and include a section dedicated to explaining that specific technique (description, history, examples of other artists’ works) in the presentation.
For example, Kurt Wiser use China Paint (or China Painting): so, what is China Paint, origins, commercial and artistic use, historic importance, use by other artists, how to identify this technique.
Another example, Don Ritz used the wood firing technique: so, what is wood firing, origins, commercial and artistic use, historic importance, use by other artists, how to identify this technique.