3.3 Identifying Guiding Questions

Exploring Questions and Inquiries

It takes a lot of self-exploration and questioning one's ideas and surroundings to come up with the best version of an art portfolio. You surely had to use some guiding questions or inquiries to get yourself to the final product, so explaining these questions and their significance to any audience is going to be crucial in them understanding your work.

Some examples of questions used or that you could include after the fact are:

1. What is the message or theme being conveyed in the work of art?
2. What is the artist's intention in creating this work?
3. How does the work make you feel and why?
4. What elements and techniques were used in the creation of the work?
5. How does the work relate to the historical and cultural context in which it was created?
6. What is the significance of the composition, color, and form in the work?
7. How does the work of art compare and contrast with others by the same artist or in the same genre?
8. What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the work?
9. What impact has this work had on the art world or society in general?
10. What do you think the future of this work of art will be and why?

Why Are Questions Important?

1. Emotional response: The audience may experience a range of emotions such as awe, joy, sadness, anger, or confusion when viewing the work of art.
2. Intellectual response: The audience may analyze and interpret the meaning, message, and symbolism behind the work of art.
3. Aesthetic response: The audience may appreciate the visual qualities and technical skill involved in the creation of the work of art.
4. Personal connection: The audience may relate to the work of art on a personal level and feel a sense of connection to the artist or the themes in the work.
5. Cultural context: The audience may consider the historical, social, and cultural context in which the work of art was created, and how it reflects the attitudes and beliefs of the time.
6. Education and enrichment: The audience may view the work of art as a learning opportunity, to expand their knowledge of art, history, and culture, especially if it is of an unfamiliar nature.