Inquiry into the appeal of anonymity to the artist

  • Bruce Earles

Western Sydney University thesis: Master's thesis

Abstract

This paper, in conjunction with a series of paintings and drawings, attempts to outline the theme of anonymity. The work contains images portraying the feeling of remaining anonymous within a city. The inquiry not so much records the necessity of remaining anonymous for the purpose of urban experience but examines whether the subject matter of the artwork could be communicated to a group of spectators. During an exhibition of the artworks, 20 subjects were surveyed for their opinions. Questions relating to subject matter and aspects of anonymity were posed to the spectators in a questionnaire and structured interview format. In a large majority of cases, spectators of the artworks isolated the multiple-choice answer that most described the subject matter of the artworks. This study gave a strong indication to the artist that the group of spectators could comprehend the subject matter of the paintings exhibited
Date of Award1998
Original languageEnglish

Keywords

  • art and society
  • identity in art
  • philosophy of painting
  • art appreciation
  • themes in painting

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