hedwards art 101: Activity 6 & 7: Art 101 Mid-Term Exhibition and Introduction

Art is one of the most ancient, unique and individualized forms of human expression. Evidence and findings exists demonstrating and proving that from the earliest civilizations around 30,000 years B.C.E., various forms of art have been used to express themes (Getlein, 5). Themes are conceptual threads woven continuously throughout (art) history that allow us to study the world from a particular point of view (50). As a necessary ingredient in art, many such threads of themes exist that depict feelings, describe nature, record stories, history, life and events, evoke emotions, offer praise, proclaim statements (subtly or overtly) or simply satisfy needs. As the perception of life and the world is individual, so are the themes in art. However, minor room exists for variances in opinion about the theme of the following exhibition. Composed chronologically, these six expressions of art were created by artists representing diverse civilizations, cultures, and time periods. The defining theme that connects and illustrates the relationship among them is that of politics and social order. Using visual elements and various principles of design these works boldly display the politics and social order of societies in time’s history.

The theme of politics and social order is present in art from the beginning of recorded time. The first two works, The Great Sphinx and the Burial Mask of Tutankhamen were created within 2000 years of each other and arise from the Egyptian civilization whose artwork is recognized for its timelessness and continuity and its allegiance to its pharaohs (leaders). The shape of The Great Sphinx, a limestone monumental sculpture, is the head of man believed to be the pharaoh Khafre and the body of a reposed lion. Likely created by lower class Egyptians slaves its height ascends 65 ft and it body’s length expands 200 ft. The sphinx is representative of the king, and thus is symbolic of order, stability, power and fortitude (357). The scale and mass of this monument displays the power and importance of the pharaoh and is the largest sculpture of its type (137, 87). Placement and light was employed ingenuously by these early artists. The sphinx faces the east—thus is illuminated daily by the light of the rising sun, further emphasizing importance (134). Tutankhamen like Khafre was an Egyptian ruler. His distinctive mask is made of solid gold, adorned with symbolic artifacts and colors and confers immortality.

The four remaining artworks boldly depict or proclaim political events and/or the social order of the time. Francisco de Goya’s painting titled Executions of the Third of May, 1808 uses the visual elements of the primary colors red and yellow as well as light and directional lines to create emphasis and subordination in the dramatic historical scene during the invasion of Spain by Napoleon (136). Numerous members of an uprising force were brutally murdered by firing squads at the hands of French soldiers. Continuing, Aaron Douglas’ painting Into Bondage simultaneously portrays the plight of slavery and bondage of African Americans in America and hope and determination for freedom and the future. For centuries, African Americans ranked at the bottom of the social order in America. Douglas creates distinct geometric shapes with the use of light and shifts in values of the primary color blue (95). Directional lines are created by a procession of gold chained men who enter the horizon from the right and light permeates the face of the painting’s central character as he gazes boldly toward it (85). These elements and the subject of the painting accurately fulfill this theme.

The fifth work of art is a wood engraving created by Rockwell Kent’s, Workers of the World, Unite! This work is illustrative of the time period of the Great Depression in America and the efforts of industrial workers to unionize and survive. An industrial worker can be seen vehemently warding off the bayonets of unseen individuals projecting from the right of the scene with a shovel. Directional lines are used to create fire which also projects from the right adding to the challenges and forces the worker faces. Emphasis and subordination are displayed as the vigilant fighter is poised defensively at the center of the work, appearing larger and serving as the picture’s main focal point. Visually, black and white are the only colors present in the work and deem appropriate for the significance of the scene.

Lastly, and possibly the most recognized depiction of politics and social order of all these works is Pablo Picasso’s Guernica. This famous painting depicts and protests the purposeful and inhumane destruction of the people and city of Guernica, Spain by the Nazi’s in April of 1937 during the Spanish Civil War (60). Scaled at 25 ft long and 12ft high scenes of dread, fear, pain, anguish and death can be seen as fire engulfs lives and the city. Black and white with shades of gray are the only colors used and geometrical shapes are clearly visible in the distorted and fragmented bodies of the paintings’ abstracted characters (581).

These six works are exemplar examples of art created by different artists, in different cultures, and different time periods yet all connected and woven by the theme of politics and social order.

The Great Sphinx c. 2500 B.C.E.
Limestone Rock
Cairo, Egypt