Imagery can simply mean the description of the objects within the painting and an evaluation of the theme. However often in Art images can sometimes have hidden meanings. This can include life death, love, innocence etc
Symbolist art shifted the emphasis from the direct representation of nature to the world of the imagination. Instead of describing something with precise, realistic detail or stating facts they used personal metaphors and symbols, evoking a meaning or feeling instead.
In the Higher Art in Design Exam you will be asked to discuss the following elements of Symbolism:
representation
connotation — meaning, implication, suggestion, association, inference, feeling communicated
denotation — literal meaning, significance, importance
The Boy and the See (2019) by Willy Verginer
wood and acrylic paint (193 x 68 x 50 cm)
The Artist has painted the majority of the sculpture is blue, which stops abruptly in a line across the boys chest. This, along with the cans and bottles surrounding the boy’s torso, suggests that he is standing in polluted water.
The artist has chosen a bleached-out colour for the boy’s upper body and the cans above the water line, this unhealthy colour suggests that the earth has been stripped of its colour and vibrancy due to waste and pollution.
The multiple bottles, cans and plastics that sit horizontally alongside the young boy suggest that the water is littered with rubbish. This implies that we are polluting our seas and spoiling natural resources for future generations
The close contact of the debris to the swimming boy symbolises the overwhelming volume of rubbish in the sea. This can be seen as there is no space between the figure and the bottles, suggesting there is no room to move
The stretched stance of the boy on top of the plinth suggests he is trying to stay above the rising sea levels created by global warming
In the Higher Art in Design Exam you will be asked to discuss the following elements of Imagery:
drawing, painting, illustration, photography
fantastical or imaginary images
symbolism
Le Château de Chillon (c. 1874−1875) by Gustave Courbet
Oil on canvas (54 x 65 cm)
The artist has painted a large building to the left of the composition which resembles a castle therefore signifies importance and grandeur of the subject.
The artist has painted warm orange colours in the trees and we can also see the white evident in the distant mountains which suggests the landscape was captured during the seasonal change between autumn and winter creating a cold autumnal day atmosphere.
The artist has created a realistic portrayal of the entire environment which suggests a peaceful secluded location, this is reinforced by the mountains and the lake surrounding the château.
The small sailing boat to the right of the castle indicates some human presence and movement. The moving boat contrasts with the stillness of the environment and suggests a leisure activity, rather than one of work.