Embedded Files
Section 1: Inquiry Question and Concept Exploration
Explanation of the guiding question or concept
Inquiry Statement: How can movement, intuition, and destruction be used as tools to uncover meaning and shape a more resolved abstract artwork?
1 Visual Evidence (your choice can be written):
I picked reflection:
The inquiry statement Ms. Shamburek gave us started to become more clear when I started working more on my abstract piece. I didnt understand this inquiry at first, but when she let us do more work ourselves I found I could get into the movement more and I started to go with my gut more. I liked experimenting with marks on my canvas. By day 4, I had a feeling of where my art was going to go based off the lines I had on the canvas already.
Section 2: Connections
Cultural, historical, and artistic influences with critical evaluation.
Citation Link Image 1: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/76244/excavation
Citation Link Image 2: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/fragmented-patricia-ariel.html
Citation Link Image 3: https://www.instagram.com/artbydoc/?hl=en
Dali - not abstract but did inspire some of my work so I added this in to show my connection, I hope that's ok :/
Citation Link Image 4: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79018
I have never really done abstract art before and I often find it confusing to make designs that don’t resemble or connect to something more physical in real life, like the Willem De Kooning piece on the left. It’s hard to imagine how to draw or represent something I can’t actually see. While finishing my piece, I decided to keep some of the abstract and organic shapes, focusing on expressive line work and bold color contrasts, but also added areas of realism like you see in image 2 and 3. I wanted those more literal sections to create symbolism and connect my composition back to my personal ideas. (108 words)
Section 3: Investigate
Visual evidence of material tests, alternate compositions, sketches.
In this piece I explored experimentation by layering colored pencil and chalk pastel to test lines, shapes, and textures. I shifted to adding a contrasting pastel background to balance negative space. Toward the end, I transitioned from free exploration to refining details, which was more challenging because I had to move from open experimentation to developing a more resolved composition.
I also learned about composition and tired to apply radial composition with leading lines to my focus point with asymmetrical balance. (87 words)
*Insert your notes from Day 4 's Composition Video. Notes will show clear evidence of watching the video from start to finish.
Section 4: Create
Visual documentation of steps of creation
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
At first, I just followed the instructions without a clear plan, experimenting since the first layer might not be visible. I began dividing the canvas with a red line and was inspired by Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory” to add a central clock. As we had more freedom, I added fixed ideas and detailed symbols: a clock-eye, hand, mouth, doors, and people. Each symbol reflects my ideas about time, change, and decision-making. I refined sections, used color to organize space, and left some sketch lines and blank areas intentionally for contrast. (91 words)
Section 5: Final Artwork
Artist: Erica Oh
Title: Timestream
Size: 38.5cm x 52.5cm
Date of Completion: 14 Sept 2022
The Why: In this piece, I wanted to express the different thoughts and aspects of time always passing and having to grow up and adjust to it.
Section 6: Communicate and Reflect
Challenges, successes, and self-evaluation of how the artwork aligns with the inquiry question.
*Insert picture with post-its around it showing peer feedback
This project was a new experience for me because it helped me understand art as a way of expressing myself rather than just transferring what I see onto paper. Abstract art feels exciting because there is no right way to create it. While realism depends on accuracy to look real, abstract is about representing something less physical. That freedom made the project challenging but fun. Without technical directions, I had to rely on my own thoughts and emotions, which sometimes left me stuck. Experimenting and being curious while creating something unfamiliar was rewarding.
I especially enjoyed working on the areas I could connect to real life, like the hand. Having a visual reference made the realistic parts of my piece my favorite, but also the most stressful since small details felt “off” more easily. These moments connected back to my feelings about starting abstract art, where I wanted to explore the theme of time and growing up. Time and change are abstract ideas, yet they shape people’s lives. There is no clear answer about how things should change, they simply do. As I move from middle school to high school, I’ve noticed time feels more valuable. I hope I was able to communicate this idea visually, even though both the theme and style lean more symbolic than realistic. (232 words)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse