Purposes/Functions of Art

Art is Communication:Artists Create art, in order to communicate

visually and perceptively.

Personal FunctionArtist create art to express personal feelings

Edvard Munch “Anxiety”1864 – 1944 Pioneer of the expressionist movement.

Jean-Jacques RousseauPhilosopher1712 - 1778Never exceed your rights, and they will soon become unlimited.

Social FunctionArtists create to reinforce a shared sense of identity

of community, or civilization

Aminah RobinsonBorn 1940 (Columbus, Ohio ) painter and children's book illustrator.

Romare Bearden

Spiritual FunctionArtists create to express spiritual beliefs

Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) “The Calling of Saint Matthew”

Bernini(1598 – 1680) Apollo and Daphne

Physical FunctionArtists create functional artwork

James Sterling1959 Architecture- England Native American Pottery

Educational FunctionArtist create artwork to impart information

The Vision of the Holy Grail, Morris and Company, 1890 (tapestry)

What is the Function?Hint: Artwork sometimes has more than one function.

Canopic Jars

Paul Klee

William de Kooning

Cy Twombly

Romare BeardenCollage Artist