Introduction:
Ever wondered what it takes to score top marks in IB Visual Art HL? Lol me too. This article is my attempt to sympathise with IB Art HL students. I love the arts and greatly admire those who do as well and go even further to pursue it as an HL subject. Whether or not they want to pursue a career in the creative field or design I find them to be the most courageous individuals. They fight off remarks that they are not doing a “real” subject every day and behead haters who discourage them and others from picking the subject. I heard that those who forge along this path ride fast on the back of risk and uncertain grades. But why is this the case? Why are there so many naysayers and what is meant by “risk” and “uncertain grades"? Is it a failure of comprehension of its grading system? Or a result of unavoidable trauma?
In MYP I dared to mention art as one of the subjects I was thinking of tackling in DP and was told promptly to flee from that temptation. I had never gotten a 7 during my time in MYP and so in the final semester I made it my mission to capture this elusive grade and so after hours of diligence and commitment and emotion and turmoil and toil I ended up with a 2. Now I was endowed with the reason and the thought process of those who had swiftly instructed me to change my thinking about DP. This experience left me scared and discouraged, not only to do the subject in DP but to even pick up my beloved sable (not those synthetic bristles) paintbrush. Despite this setback, my passion for art never truly faded. It was always there, lurking in the background, waiting for the right moment to resurface and reignite my creative spirit.
Modern Art
When we encounter modern art and artists we are forced to contemplate the ever-present question of “What makes ‘good art’?” Why do blank canvases sell for millions of pounds, or bananas taped to walls find a home at Art Basel, and MoMA’s across the world. If one can find a successful career as an artist or creative by spray painting caricatures on canvases or painting solid colour pieces of just bold red. What makes one an artist?
- Robert Ryman - “Bridge”
- Barnett Newman - “Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue”
- Slawn - “Three Emotions”
- Maurizio Cattelan - “Comedian”
Now seeing these I know what’s going through your head “I could do that”, “this can’t be worth more than a penny but Robert Ryman’s “Bridge” sold for $20.6 million at an auction in 2016.
Modern Art fills others with rage. To quote Craig61's response to the question “Why is modern art so trash?” on Quora, “Because although there are many great works of modern art, most of the so-called ‘modern art’ in this world is created by charlatans who lack any real talent.” Wow, take a chill pill Craig!
Instead of repulsion and contempt, I am filled with inquisition as to why this phenomenon occurs, if these sell what even is “art” anyways?, what makes one an artist? and many more profound ponderings. I believe the perfect answer to the question I posed above is from Max of the Ecwid blog. “An artist is anyone capable of conceptualising an emotion, idea, or moment, or of more value, someone who can express themselves using their imagination. Art is considered any creative work whether it is a painting, a sign, a poem, a sculpture, or even a tattoo.” This definition gives so much flexibility to the role and the title allowing anyone to don the mantle, even those scared of failure or those who have been told they are not good enough. The essence of art lies not in conformity but in individual expression and the courage to share one's inner world.
I too can be an artist. I too can be called a creative. Slowly but surely after drifting off to other forms of art, mainly poetry, story writing, and photography I once again picked up my pencil, dusted off my paints and finally washed the crusty green paint of my paint brushes (I bought new ones.) It was a rejuvenating experience, rekindling a passion that I thought had been extinguished by past disappointments. The act of creating again felt like reconnecting with an old friend, reminding me of why I fell in love with art in the first place.
Preview
In the subsequent articles I intend for us to go on a voyage. We will explore the IB Art curriculum, encounter student experiences from courageous, daredevils unlike myself who dared to challenge the status quo and stick to their gut instead of regretting Economics HL every day, and some tips and attitudes to rekindle your love for the arts or for creating in general. Together, we will uncover the beauty of artistic risk-taking and the profound impact of creativity on personal growth and self-expression. We will delve into the techniques, challenges, and triumphs that define the journey of an IB Art student, providing insights and inspiration for those who aspire to pursue this path.
In the end, the journey of an artist is not just about the final piece, but about the growth, the exploration, and the expression of one's true self. So, let's embark on this creative adventure together, embracing the uncertainties and celebrating the beauty of art in all its forms. Whether you're an aspiring artist or simply someone who appreciates creativity, there's something for everyone in the world of IB Art. Let's dive in and discover the magic that lies within the canvas.
Works Cited
Artsy. “Slawn - Biography, Shows, Articles & More.” Artsy, www.artsy.net/artist/slawn.
Max. “What Is an Artist? What It Take to Be One.” Ecwid | E-Commerce Shopping Cart, 4 Jan. 2023, www.ecwid.com/blog/what-is-an-artist.html#:~:text=An artist is anyone capable.
MutualArt. “Bridge.” Mutualart.com, Robert Ryman | Bridge (1980) | MutualArt, 13 May 2015, www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Bridge/D1F0F7481C8C93F3.
Quora. “Why Are 99% of Fine Arts Works in Contemporary Art Museums, Ridiculous or Even Disgusting?” Quora, 2019, www.quora.com/Why-are-99-of-fine-arts-works-in-contemporary-art-museums-ridiculous-or-even-disgusting. Accessed 11 July 2024.
Taylor, Elise. “The Art Basel Banana, Explained.” Vogue, 10 Dec. 2019, www.vogue.com/article/the-120000-art-basel-banana-explained-maurizio-cattelan.
WikiArt Visual Art Encyclopedia. “Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow, and Blue III, 1969 - 1970 - Barnett Newman - WikiArt.org.” Www.wikiart.org, www.wikiart.org/en/barnett-newman/whos-afraid-of-red-yellow-and-blue-iii-1970.
