Throughout this class, we have been exploring modern and contemporary artists and their work through the
lens of theoretical texts that have directly influenced 20th century art and culture. We have discussed the
way in which art is a form that has the potential to create and influence social meaning in everyday life
and visual culture. Main questions that we have covered include: How does art communicate meaning through
material and form? What is the relationship between visual culture, the practice of art, and everyday life?
How do social and political context shape and influence the making of art as well as the understanding of
art?
For this paper, you are to choose one or two artists that we’ve discussed in class and write a 4-6 page
paper (12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced, 1” margins) discussing those artists’ work in
relationship to the main concepts and theoretical readings we have discussed in class. The paper is an
exercise in writing formal analysis of specific art works. It should also demonstrate your grasp of the
historical, social, cultural, and political contexts that are vital to understanding art. This is NOT a
biographical essay on an artist. Biographical information should be kept to a bare minimum *if* it is used
at all. It should only be used if it is supporting your thesis.