Categorising art
Categorising art, some starting points.
In art there are many types of works and categorising them into styles can be a minefield, here is a starting point to negotiating the minefield.
- Contemporary - Considered to be the cutting edge of what’s taking place in the art world… New players abound, and also artists of repute who have earned the title of contemporary artist who are heading to mature contemporary status. The new players can provide the viewer with interesting and fresh perspectives on personal, cultural and social issues. The works can range from high to low skills, to avant-garde high depth to lower decorative pieces with minimal meaning.
- Mature contemporary - These artists have been selling for years, some have passed on, some are still with us, but the work has sometimes gone from owner to owner being auctioned off in art auction houses. Usually a much lower risk for an art investor than an emergent contemporary artist and often nowhere near as expensive as a classic. The works will have stood the test of time and the artist will probably have a cult following in the art circles, not to mention solid mentions in a range of art books.
- Classics - The bigger picture of art from the past, from high-level well renowned artists to others of little note. Again, in the bigger auction houses, museums and from some antique dealers. These works are more historic and can cover from early prehistoric artefacts to works up to the 1970’s
- Leisure - The art works of people who create for enjoyment, some of these works attain a level of notoriety (often very localised) however their value is often in the technique and style rather than the ability of the works to communicate concepts at deeper levels. Often these are hobbyists that sell to help supplement their income or pay for their materials. As an investment they offer little in the way of $$ return as the artists often have little recognition in the active investment art world, any value is often sentimental. Uncle Mike might be a dab hand at painting a bunch of flowers, but beyond that the work has little value other than decoration. (With all due respect to Uncle Mike).
- Decorative - Renovation and do it yourself shows on TV, show how to ‘take a canvas and tun it into your own piece of art’ the aim is to decorate a wall or space. This is all about colour and design basics and not about art for art sake communicating cultural, social and or personal themes. The images are usually meaningless and serve only as decoration.
- Therapeutic - This can cut across a range of categories, but I wanted to give it a spot on its own. It can be in any medium and involve processes to assist the “patient” to explore, themselves, and issues relating to them.
There are probably a whole host of categories in between that fill various gaps but the above list is a starting point for you to explore.
When looking at works of art you now have a perspective from which to view and assess them. So when asked “What do you think of our latest acquisition” when Aunt Millie points to a new painting in the lounge… you can start out with a discussion using a few of the points above. “Oh Aunt Millie, its rather colourful and fits the space nicely, tell me all about it…” then listen to hear how it was purchased, and for what purpose, decoration, investment or because it is communicating something to her on a deeper basis.
From all sides the list gives a starting point to understanding so the visual arts might be more clearly defined for all parties.
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