Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is a/the composition?

What is a/the composition?

Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within an artwork. The artist carefully organizes these elements to create a harmonious or intentionally dynamic relationship. Traditional approaches to composition often follow classical, geometric principles, while contemporary movements may experiment with new arrangements and adjustments, breaking away from conventional rules to achieve different visual effects.

Clay

Clay is a natural material formed when rocks break down over time due to weathering. Water carries the fine particles of earth, which accumulate as a soft, sticky substance called muck. This muck is collected, cleaned, and refined by removing impurities like rocks and adding sand to improve its texture, resulting in usable clay.

Appropriation

Appropriation in art involves using pre-existing images or objects with little or no modification. This technique has played a significant role across various art forms, including visual arts, music, performance, and literature. In visual arts, appropriation refers to the practice of adopting, sampling, recycling, or borrowing elements—or even entire forms—of existing visual culture, integrating them into new works to create meaning or critique.

Art Brut

Art Brut, a French term meaning Raw Art, was coined by Jean Dubuffet to describe art created outside the conventional fine arts tradition. Dubuffet used the term to refer to works made by self-taught artists, including the mentally ill, prisoners, and others on the margins of society. He also called it Outsider Art. This art is characterized by its raw, unrefined nature, often created without concern for traditional presentation or imitation.

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