Visual art studio reviews
What is a review?
Reviews usually take place in studio. A review is a talk that you
give to a group in which you present your views and artworks based on your readings, research and studio development. The oral and visual presentation may be associated with a written assignment. There may be specific requirements you need to meet
that are detailed in your course outline or study guide. You may present as an individual or as part of a group.
You will need to prepare for your review in much the same way as you would for a written assignment. This will include:
- analysing a topic closely
- developing a point of view in relation to that topic through research and thought
- persuading your audience that the point of view you have developed is well supported by the ideas, information and artworks you present.
Reviews, like written assignments have three main parts or stages:
- the initial statement of the point of view that you have developed in response to the topic (sometimes called the thesis statement). This part of the review is the introduction.
- the argument and evidence from research and studio investigation which are presented to support the presented artworks. This part is the body of the review
- the summary of the arguments and the restatement of the overall point of view that has been developed. This part of the review is the artist’s statement and completed artworks.
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Before the review
- consider the audience and their background knowledge.
- estimate the time available for your presentation to help you decide on how much information you will need.
- investigate, prepare and plan for the most effective and appropriate method of presentation.
- select and provide appropriate resources
- collate all the relevant research including information and ideas and organise them in a logical sequence
- finalise your choice of selected artworks
- decide on what and how much supportive work to include
- provide clear links between research and presented works including studio work providing clear and succinct points, explanations and examples to support the presented artworks
- provide sufficient time and studio space to present the artworks
reflecting a considered and professional approach
- arrive early to make sure that the room, equipment and lay-out suit your needs. This will allow you time to make any necessary changes.
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During a review
- greet the review or assessment panel and audience
- wait for the panel to focus their attention on you before you start
- state the area of research clearly and give an outline of what you will cover
- use your artworks to indicate the main ideas of investigation as you progress through the presentation
- face the panel as you speak and take care not to turn your body away from them too often
- summarise the main points in your conclusion. You could also suggest future questions or research directions
in relation to your topic
- hand out material either before or after the presentation so that you don’t lose the assessment panel’s and audience’s attention.
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After the review
- reflect on what made your presentation successful and what detracted from it
- ask for feedback from your lecturer which in most cases you will
receive during the review and from fellow students using this
feedback to improve both your presented works and method of
presentation (see
Making use of feedback on assessment).
During your program you will be involved in many studio reviews both as a presenter and as a member of the audience.
Each time you present your work for critical analysis and comment before a group of people
you will develop and refine your skills. As an observer, you will be able to identify strategies
that effective presenters use and adopt or adapt them to for your own
use in the review process.
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Sources
Adamson, G & Prentice 1987, Communication skills in practice: Workbook 1 Speaking and Listening, Nelson Wadsworth, Melbourne, Victoria.
Day, EJ 1995, How to perform under pressure, Daybreak Publishing, Lower Plenty, Victoria.
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