gogxmagog
Legacy Member
I have noticed, in art education for younger students (ages 6-15) that very contemporary and more "challenging" art is never represented. I understand some of these artists/artworks are of a distinctly adult nature and not suitable for children, but there is so much that is not as well. I have the ill feeling that the majority of educators teaching younger children about art feel they cannot "understand" or "appreciate" difficult or ambiguous concepts and as a result, when showing the children newer art and artists, the range becomes very limited.
Artists like Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Roy Lichtenstein are fine, but they are, in this modern time, historical figures from the past. They are also innocuous and easy to grasp.
There are so many newer artists out there I really wonder about the dearth of their representation in contemporary educational situations. My worst suspicion is that the educators' own inability to grasp the theory behind these works is more to blame than anything.
I have one simple tip for introducing more "theoretically difficult" art to younger students and it is this; "If you can not understand it, this may be its greatest value for it has made you think"
Like I don't think you need a PhD to get something out of work like this (Kara Walker "The Sugar Factory" (giant sphinx made of sugar - a commentary on the american slave trade in the sugar industry and the objectification of African American women) sure, its pretty deep, heady stuff, but its also fun to look at and something that a kid would enjoy and remember... and be able to reference later in life. Isn't that what education is supposed to offer?
Artists like Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Roy Lichtenstein are fine, but they are, in this modern time, historical figures from the past. They are also innocuous and easy to grasp.
There are so many newer artists out there I really wonder about the dearth of their representation in contemporary educational situations. My worst suspicion is that the educators' own inability to grasp the theory behind these works is more to blame than anything.
I have one simple tip for introducing more "theoretically difficult" art to younger students and it is this; "If you can not understand it, this may be its greatest value for it has made you think"
Like I don't think you need a PhD to get something out of work like this (Kara Walker "The Sugar Factory" (giant sphinx made of sugar - a commentary on the american slave trade in the sugar industry and the objectification of African American women) sure, its pretty deep, heady stuff, but its also fun to look at and something that a kid would enjoy and remember... and be able to reference later in life. Isn't that what education is supposed to offer?