Comments on: How to Write an Art Review

By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:38:11 +0000

In reply to Michael.

Go for it, Michael! Artists who follow their creative paths are almost always rewarded.

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By: Michael

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:43:28 +0000

I have a question: I’m a painter, but I’ve joined a creative writing group in my area this year (Seattle), and have been developing my skills with poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. I’m a beginning writer, but I feel a strong call to connect my creative writing with my painting practice. All the different types of writing I’ve been doing in conjunction with my art website, artist statement, artist’s blog, etc, are becoming increasingly literary. I even wrote a poem about a Gauguin exhibit I saw recently, then turned it into a kind of experimental reflection on the artists work. I’m hoping content like this will do something to help my visibility as a painter (web crawlers will have more text to latch onto). I also hope playing with this stuff won’t hurt my credibility as a painter. I really want to be a literary as well as a visual artist. Do you feel this is appropriate? Is there a place for a more literary approach to art writing, i.e. ‘belles lettres’ form, where the line between fiction and non-fiction is more blurry?
Here’s the reflection on Gauguin I wrote btw. I’d love to know what you think! http://www.impactfolios.com/michaelshelbyedwards/page5942.htm

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By: Catherine Rutgers

Wed, 09 May 2012 13:40:29 +0000

In reply to Sue Sommers.

Hello, Sue,
Your comment really pinpoints a crucial dilemma: how to be honest without being callous. I was recently asked to write a review of a journal on Dada art and writing. Having checked out other reviews of the same journal, they were totally positive. But my genuine response was mixed — including the fact that I’m not completely in the dadaist camp, either as it’s represented historically or in the contemporary world.
After carefully looking at the artwork and writing in the journal, I was inspired to write about my general feelings and thoughts, and to create images that illustrate my conclusions. Within the framework of a letter to Dada, many details about the journal were included. Although it’s true that I avoided comments on specific artwork that I didn’t like at all, I hope that overall it’s a balanced perspective.
I’m not at all sure this is what the editor was looking for, and received only general feedback. Nonetheless, I’m very glad to have had this challenging opportunity. Here’s the link: http://catrutgers4art.com/2012/04/29/dear-dada-a-review-of-maintenant-6/
Your thoughts will be welcome!
All best wishes,
Catherine
P.S. Alyson’s comment on “review” vs. “criticism” brings up a very interesting distinction that I hadn’t considered before; they’re pretty much jumbled together in my post on Maintenant.

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By: Katherine Tyrrell

Tue, 08 May 2012 19:27:28 +0000

In reply to Art Hilger.

Ignore it!
I don’t comment on bad art except in a very opaque way. The only time I get direct is if it’s just won a big prize and then I reckon the size of the cheque will cushion any pointed comments from me

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By: Art Hilger

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:27:27 +0000

It’s rather easy to come up with a review when the genre and subject matter is well done, but what do you do when the bulk of the work is mostly crap?
I don’t want to antagonize the gallery owners because I have cutivated a relationship with them over the years. I also don’t want to write a glowing review of a lot of bad art for my regular readers to peruse. I will lose their confidence.
Is there a tactful way to handle this situation which, on the local level, is all too prevalent.

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By: Katherine Tyrrell

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:25:05 +0000

A couple of tips from somebody who writes a lot of reviews and likes to include images.
1) Don’t assume you can take photos in an exhibition. A lot of exhibition organisers ban photography. There’s a lot of work to be done BEFORE you even get to the exhibition if you want to take photos. You do need permission and you can’t assume it.
2) When you take a photo of an image which you know you will use, also take a photo of the caption. I guarantee you won’t be able to remember them all when you get home! Guess who learned this one the hard way.
I also write loads of notes for my review in the catelogue while I’m in the exhibition. That way I can annotate the entries for artists whose work has caught my eye. Plus write down the main points for the review.

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By: John Anderson

Fri, 04 May 2012 23:18:42 +0000

Thank you for this introduction. It is helpful. I agree that writing about things we like is good. I think also there is a distinction between a review and a critical review. A review is primarily a description of the event. Critical comments in this kind of review are general in nature, and less technical than in a critical review. A critical review, on the other hand, is making the claim of the reviewer to have expertise in evaluating art. Both positive and negative comments in a critical review need to be supported by reasons–not just given as opinions. The critical reviewer needs to demonstrate what his/her judgments are based on. While these remain, strictly speaking, opinions, they need to be opinions supported by expertise and examples. Hopefully, when criticism is offered, it is constructive and helpful to readers, the artist and the gallery . Mean spiritism is not good criticism and is ego based. Just a few thoughts.

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By: Martha Brickett

Fri, 04 May 2012 19:26:38 +0000

Sort of like all art Alyson.
It starts with an idea, then moves on to a simple outline, then YOUR art takes over and the magic happens. We’re all artists, no matter what the medium. We all start from scratch and whatever the outcome, from cupcakes to a masters thesis, from a tiny haiku ( that only the poet understands!) to a bigger than life sculpture, it all stats with the simple moment of the idea.

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By: Robin Maria Pedrero

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:49:38 +0000

Well we here in Orlando are going to do our best to move forward and will begin to write reviews via a blog that I just set up. There’s nothing there yet but a little photo logo- that’s how new it is. I did come up with a name I like OAR. Orlando Art Review http://orlandoartreview.blogspot.com/
There are 4 people interested in writing. We are inspired by your information.
And you know me – I will of course keep you and all posted via twitter and fb.

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By: Marion Hancock

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:17:54 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Yes, it’s as if the editors/writers have no concern for the general reader who might pick up their publication. Even as an artist, I quickly switch off when the writing becomes dense and abstract.

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