Artist Comparison Essay

Visually describe the artwork(s) (consider all your senses)
• Describe the artist’s process. What media (paint, paper, clay, etc.) do they work with. What kind of artist (painter, sculptor, installation artist) are they?
• Describe what inspires the artist. Why do they make art the way they do?
• What is your overall impression of the work of the artist? What do you enjoy (and not enjoy) about this artist, their work, and the process? Be specific and give examples and please be honest – there will be art & artworks you connect to more than others. But, remember, you don’t have to want to hang the art in your living room to appreciate it – or see its value in society.
• What does it make you think about/remind you of? What themes do you see running through the work? What ties the separate pieces together?
• What statement does the artist and/or their artwork say about society and other big ideas (race, gender, social equality, for example)?
• Essay instructions continued…
• In addition to writing about the artists individually, you need to compare the two.
• attend to the following:
•Both artists deal with the idea of power and the political in their work. How do you see this manifested in their work, and what are the similarities and differences?
•What could the two artists say about the current culture/society with their work? Name specific examples.
•How would you define the key differences and similarities of the two artists? This could be thematically or materially.
• Your essay can be organized; however, you think is best to cover all of the information. You could address each artist individually and then compare them at the end. Or, the comparison/contrast could be worked throughout the entire essay. Regardless, you should have an introductory and conclusion paragraph statement. Let the reader know what they are about to read.