Component 4 - Reasoning

Criteria - Reasoning

This is a response to the deeper substance of the artwork and includes reasoning and critical comment on significant factors such as the use of symbolism and visual metaphor.

Include thoughts about ‘the meaning’ of the work and how the compositional factors contribute to its ‘meaning’. Support subjective interpretations with explanation. (In the final submission stage, in your group you may discuss the original intentions of the artist. but in collaboration, you may also include ‘alternative’ interpretations of meaning that other members may have about the piece).

Min – 250 words

'A Floral Arrangement' critiqued by Anita Smyth

Inspired by Nature

I believe this artist is deeply inspired by nature, raw and natural beauty; just as flowers in the wild. The artist maybe trying to convey the beauty of nature, untouched by human interference; that of an untainted beauty. This pastel canvas represents a natural arrangement in which foliage and fern are found, bundled quite naturally, quite randomly and haphazardly. The rough textures in this pastel canvas express to me, a ‘beauty in the rough’ like flowers picked from a field.

Assymetrical

The floral design is somewhat asymmetrical. In achieving a more balanced perspective, the artist could have made alternative choices within the design. Some choices could have included:

• Drawing and integrating the lilac Chrysanthemums towards the background. The picture of the Chrysanthemums then, would have created not only a secondary focal point; but depth, through the perception of distance.
• In the case where the single lilac Chrysanthemum is centred between the two Liliums, visual flow is hampered; making the arrangement of flowers appear visually unbalanced.
• The deep green foliage also appears disproportionate with most foliage concentrated towards the lower right side of the arrangement.
• Further still, as another consideration, the artist may have chosen to draw a solid vase in which to place the flowers, without detail of the flower and foliage stems in view. An opaque vase, however, was chosen. What could the artists’ motivations be for choosing an opaque vase? I consider that the artists’ motivations are conveying that all natural things should be appreciated in their splendour. Not anything in nature should be hidden.

Irony

I perceived a notion of subtle irony in this artwork; a incongruency between my expectation perceived from visualising a bouquet of flowers in a vase, to the reality of a bunch of handpicked flowers defined as a pastel canvas.  Unlike conventional arrangements where -        

• flowers appear soft and smooth; these appear rough and textured;
• where arrangements are well balanced and prearranged; these appear unbalanced and unarranged;
• where the method of arrangement is hidden from view; this is transparent and open to view.

Unlike the character of flowers in a bouquet which are restrained, introduced, arranged, and ordered and distinctive, this floral display represents the character of flowers in the wild, natural, random, jumbled and unassuming.

Colours

The colours of the floral design are beautiful and striking and I believe are indicative of the artist’s personality. This artist has used a delicate pink for the Liliums, a colour that is symbolic of youth and happiness with a loving nature; understanding and sympathic (LivingArtsOriginals.com, 2011). The lilac colour of the Chrysanthemums are symbolic of femininity and beauty; sensitivity and compassion (LivingArtsOriginals.com, 2011). 

Beauty

Through this pastel canvas, the artist has revealed the beauty of her inner self, the artists’ incredible yearning for all things natural; random and haphazard to show that nature is the true essence of real beauty.