Subject, Concepts, and Theme
Subject & Concept"Subject matter is the artist's topic, whereas big ideas are the artist's concepts" - Walker, S. Teaching Meaning in Artmaking, 3.
No topic is inherently boring, even the most mundane can result in beautiful, exciting, interesting work. What subject or topic you choose is not necessarily the most important thing, its how you interpret and respond to it. The concept or big idea will come as you develop your ideas. You may decide on your subject matter and have concepts consistently through each piece or these could develop and change as you progress.
How to select a subject
It is important to know that it is not always necessary to have an exceptionally clever or original initial starting point for your subject. As you investigate and research your topic you will develop a multitude of ideas. Sometimes a literal or simple approach can be conveyed in an imaginative, skillful and unique way. Put thought into your subject selection, but, spending days or weeks searching for the perfect theme could be better spent starting and creating an artwork. You will develop and refine ideas as you go.
Stop worrying about making your subject perfect from the beginning and consider how interesting it is to YOU. This is your opportunity to say something with you artwork. What do you want to learn or say about your topic? Where are you in your topic?
Themes in Art
When you have decided what it is you hope to convey, you have begun to identify the theme: The broad idea, the overarching thought, that is conveyed by your piece, Returning to your work on your vinyl record, have you captured your theme in your preliminary work?
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