Speaking the Language of Art

Speaking the Language of Art: It Doesn’t Have to be Complicated 


Have you ever become caught up in a book, a movie, or even a piece of art? Have you said to yourself, “This is so fascinating. I’d just love to have a conversation with the creator.”? If you have, I am sure you are not alone. While most of these thoughts will remain daydreams, meeting a living artist, even a famous one, is more accessible than you might think.
The easiest way to meet artists is to attend art events. Galleries host openings for new  shows, which  are generally attended by the exhibiting artists. Art fairs are larger events, ranging from local fairs, where artists manage their own booths, to huge, multi-day extravaganzas featuring galleries from all over. The artists themselves may not be as easy to find at the larger of these. 
Quite often the best place to truly get to know an artist is at an open studio event. Here, you will meet the artist, see a wider variety of their work than you would in a gallery, and perhaps even glimpse the creative space - “the room where it happens.” 
Sounds exciting, right? But now you are standing in a studio, surrounded by amazing work, and the artist is nearby. You are not sure how to move beyond vague statements like, “What a great day for this,” or “I like your work.” Believe it or not, there is a good chance that the artist, your host, is as unsure of what to say next as you are!

Art as Communication

“If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.”

• Edward Hopper

Think about that quote for a minute. Like speaking and writing, art is a form of communication. Its language, however, is visual. It is a way for the artist to tell the world something that simply can not be conveyed in any other way. 
On their surface, Edward Hopper’s paintings depict buildings and people of his era. After spending time looking at Hopper’s work, feelings, ideas and questions begin to emerge. These thoughts often contrast with the calm and quiet images we see. Hopper created an emotional undercurrent through the specific visual choices he made, and this contrast is an important aspect of his work. It is also difficult to imagine a verbal language that could truly express the complex emotions that resonate when looking at his paintings.

A Language Without Words
Artists spend their days alone thinking and creating with materials not words. Their language is expressed through light, value, structure, form, scale, color, texture, canvas, paint, clay, metal, and so on. The resulting artwork may be representational, using imagery and symbols to help the viewer understand the artist’s message. However, art does not always have a clear narrative. Sometimes it engages your senses and emotions before your intellect.
As you first look at a piece, your initial reaction might be driven by the scale, the colors, or the texture. Joy, awe, confusion, or peace, these feelings can flood your mind and leave your brain scrambling to catch up. You might not know why you feel drawn to the piece, but you don’t want to move on. You hope that the artist  nearby can explain what has such a hold of you. But if they say nothing, you might  not know how to ask.
I have experienced both sides of this awkward silence, and it can be painful!

Take the Time to Let Art Speak to You 
First and foremost, remember that the artist’s purpose is to communicate with viewers. Each work conveys ideas and shares the creator’s thoughts, which is a constant across centuries of shifting of styles. All art forms, every novel, song, movie, painting, sculpture, etc. has something to say about humanity and the world around us. These can be personal or universal, penetratingly deep and intimate, or celebratory and frivolous. But you, the viewer, also play a part. What you see and think will be influenced by your own experiences, background, and even your mood. 
So how do you gather your thoughts to begin a conversation?

1. Survey the Scene: Upon entering a space spend a few minutes looking at the entire display. If there is written information, an artist statement or cards, stop and read these. Then, look a little more slowly but still at the exhibit as a whole, making mental notes of anything that stands out. 
2. Focus Your Attention: Turn your attention to works you feel drawn to or curious about. Pause and really look. If you are unsure where to start, an objective description of the work, what you literally see, can provide an entry point. 
3. Notice Your Reaction: What stands out to you? What do you feel? Is there a particular color that resonates? Does the subject evoke memories? If you are with someone, you can start by discussing what you see and feel with them. 
4. Formulate a Question: As you continue to look, do you have a specific question? This is your opening to speak with the artist.

Beginning the Conversation 
A conversation needs to engage both sides. If your questions are too broad, a conversation can quickly falter. If you open with, “Your paintings are so colorful,” an artist might simply say, “Thank you.” Instead make the question more directed: “I find your use of color fascinating. How did it become such a focus in the series?” 
By offering a distinct topic (color) and directing the question towards the artist’s process, you have simultaneously demonstrated positive interest and provided a structured opening. People generally love to talk about their passions. Even reserved people can talk for longer than you might expect if they’re properly encouraged. Think of the conversation as a chance to explore and make connections with both the work and the artist.

Tips for Engaging the Artist

• Avoid jargon and use clear language. If an artist slips into technical language you don’t understand, politely ask them to pause and explain. This isn’t embarrassing; you are giving the artist a moment to shine in an area where they are the expert, and you are learning more about how art is made. 
• Use open ended questions to encourage discussion. 
• Connect the art to a personal feeling or experience. Sharing this can encourage deeper connection. For example: “the light in this painting reminds me of the moment just before a rainstorm. Was this a feeling you were aiming for?”
  
  Remember art is subjective. Each person views art through the lens of their experience and knowledge. Just as friends can see a movie together and come away with two different messages, each person can view a piece of art in their own way. There is room for this. None of these interpretations are wrong.

Conversation Starters
Any of these topics can draw an artist into a fruitful conversation:

• Subject Matter: For representational art (landscapes, figurative, still life) talk about what is prominent in the image. How does your eye move across the piece?Do certain things stand out, if so why?
• Techniques and Materials: Ask questions about how the artist works with their materials. Mark making of any sort–the visible brushstrokes, the texture of the clay, the way the metal is joined – is part of an artist’s language.
• Formal elements: This is an objective way to start a conversation. Line, form, color, value, and space are all structural components of art. Ask how an artist’s manipulation of these elements emphasises certain ideas. For example: “The limited color palette gives this piece a very quiet meditative feel. Was that intentional?”
• Context and influence: Ask about what and who influences the artist’s work. Questions like, “I see a lot of inspiration from (historical Artist/Movement) in your work. What draws you to that style?” can lead to interesting stories. 

​In Conclusion

By listening and asking questions when needed, you can learn about an artist’s ideas, techniques, and what is important to them. Learning more, particularly from the artist, can expand your enjoyment and deepen your appreciation of art. With more exposure will come more knowledge and comfort with the language of art.