Somaya Critchlow Essay/Research Paper

Works of art by Somaya Critchlow commented on during class:

• Alone Again – 2019
• Big Shelly in Wig, 2019
• Black Head Study, 2019
• Bloody Sunset (Inset Eyes), 2019
• Bunch of Grapes (Conceal an Eczema), 2019
• Figure Holding a Little Teacup, 2019
• Petworth Beauty (Abigail), 2020
• Purity, 2019
• Still Life, 2019
• Study for Undone, 2019
• The Wait of Silence II (Afternoon Tea), 2020
• You Don’t Comb the Mirror (Conceals an Eczema), 2019
• The Chamber I, 2024

Requirements:

- write in full paragraph form, do not simply answer the questions

- if a particular question does not apply to the piece of art you have chosen, you do not have to answer or include that question in your essay unless you think it is important to be stated in your paper

- no late papers will be accepted

- second attempts ARE allowed

- this is a combined research and essay assignment of approximately 500 words

- you will need to directly quote AND cite AT LEAST two (2) academic sources in this paper

- all sources used are to be accredited and Wikipedia does not count as an acceptable source at the college level. Refer to the college library online database for sources; i.e., JSTOR, ARTSTOR, Art Index, as well as online magazines, such as:

https://artsy.netLinks to an external site.

https://www.artnews.com/Links to an external site.

https://aestheticamagazine.com/Links to an external site.

- links to reference material:

https://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/somaya-critchlow-the-chamber-review-dulwich-picture-gallery-londonLinks to an external site.

https://www.maximillianwilliam.com/artists/somaya-critchlowLinks to an external site.

https://www.artsy.net/artist/somaya-critchlowLinks to an external site.

https://www.flagartfoundation.org/exhibitions/somaya-critchlowLinks to an external site.

- the paper should conform to MLA or APA formatting rules for research papers

- save the paper as a PDF file and title it: YOURLASTNAME_YOURFIRSTINITIAL_CRITCHLOW.pdf

(example: DURBAK_D_CRITCHLOW.pdf)

- provide a photo of the piece and attach it as a separate page at the END of your paper

- under the photo, type in the title of the piece of art, and the year Critchlow created the piece of art.

- PLACE YOUR FULL NAME CENTERED AT THE TOP OF THE PAPER

ITEMS TO WRITE ABOUT ARE BELOW:

1.) LOOK – First, choose one (1) work of art by Somaya Critchlow. It could be one of the pieces of art we discussed during class or one of the pieces of art featured in the links below.

    What do you notice? Take inventory of everything you see in the work of art.

    Look at the work of art for about 30 seconds and then close your eyes and try to remember everything you observed. What details do you remember? What did you overlook?

    Is the work of art; Representational, Abstract, Non-representational

2.) DESCRIBE - Talk about what you see in the work of art using expressive language.

    Explore line, shape, color, composition, material, and subject matter, based upon our conversations during class.

    Use expressive language to describe what you see in detail. For example, instead of writing, “I see the sky,” write, “I see a dark, foreboding sky full of heavy clouds that sulk across the composition.”

3.) THINK - Interpret and assign meaning to the work of art.

    What story is taking place?
    What is the setting, or the time and place depicted?
    What is the mood of the work? How do you know?
    What is this work of art about?
    What do you think the artist was trying to communicate through the creation of this work of art?

4.) CONNECT - Relate what you see to your own life, or to other works of art or images you have seen.

    What does this work of art remind you of? Why?

    How does this work of art relate to an aspect of your own life?

    Compare this work of art to other images/objects that you have seen, either in a museum or in your everyday life or your textbook. How are they similar? How are they different?

In writing this essay, here are additional pertinent talking points that you should consider as the basis for your essay:

a.) Figure and Ground (subject and background): Describe the figure(s) and ground(s) in the piece.

b.) Implied Shape(s): Describe any implied shape(s) in the piece.

c.) Implied Light: Is there any directional light in the piece? If so, describe it.

d.) If there are prominent black and white areas, describe the values.

e.) Are the colors mostly cool, warm, or a mixture?

f.) What are the prominent hues in the piece and is the palette restricted or open?

g.) What emotional effect do the colors of the piece have upon you as the viewer?

h.) What emotional impact does the image have upon you as a viewer and how does this piece relate to your past and present life experiences?

Key Terms from the Powerpoint that you may wish to discuss in your essay:

• Academic Art
• bebop
• Cardi B
• connotations
• exhibition
• kitsch
• Lil’ Kim
• Love & Hip Hop
• multiplicity
• Nick Minaj
• The Other
• Peter Paul Rubens
• pop culture
• self-portraiture
• stereotypes
• subjugate
• Diego Velázquez
• watercolor