5.3 Ideas & Materials Statements

For each work

In Selected Works, brief statements list the materials (media used) and describe the idea — what the work is about or exploring.

Concise and specific

These are short: name the media accurately and state the idea plainly. 'Charcoal on paper; exploring memory through erasure' is specific and useful.

Aligning words and work

The best statements match the work — the idea you describe should be visible in the piece. Words and image reinforce each other.

Key terms

Materials statement

briefly and accurately names the media used

Idea statement

describes what the work is about or exploring

Concise & specific

short, precise, no jargon

Alignment

the described idea is visible in the work

Reinforcement

words and image support each other

Try an AP-style question

For each Selected Work, you identify…

1. the price and size only
2. ideas and materials/processes
3. a critique of other work
4. the artist's age