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How to Write an Art Review

Many people are intimidated by art, believing that you have to have great intellectual skills in order to understand it. Contrary to what many people believe, you do not have to be a specialist in art in order to write art criticism. Anyone with an eye and a brain can look at a work of art and decide if they like it or not. The most difficult part is defending that opinion. The only way you get to be good at that is by practicing. Writing art reviews, even if you’re just doing it for yourself, is an excellent way of developing your critical thinking skills. These skills can be applied toward art, but also an array of other useful disciplines.

Instructions

  1. Preliminary Visit to the Exhibition

    • 1

      Visit the art exhibition you intend to write about.

    • 2

      Read all of the wall texts and press materials that the gallery or museum provides. If there is a catalog available and you can afford it, purchase the catalog as well.

    • 3

      Look at all of the art in the exhibition.

    • 4

      Return to the gallery or museum a second time, this time with pen and paper. This time, look at the art “with your mind.”

    • 5

      Take notes. Write not just descriptions of the physical details of the works of art, but your ideas as to what the works might mean.

    Writing the Review

    • 6

      Write a preliminary overview of the artist’s career. This can include biographical details, but should focus mostly on the work they have made.

    • 7

      Describe the work that is exhibited.

    • 8

      Formulate an opinion. In a word, is the work good or bad? Is the exhibition a success or a failure?

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Fine Art

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