As a starting point to explore art theory the format of the module worked very well as we covered a wide range of topics. I was able to learn about a lot of different areas allowing for an informed choice when choosing one area to focus my research on later in the module. It also allowed me to view my own work through a new lens each week as we covered a new area of art theory.
The critical idea I found most matched my work at the time and that interested me the most was the ideas of Clement Greenberg on modernist painting. I decided to write my essay and presentation about the critic who was involved in the New York School during the 50s.
Greenberg believed that painting was dying and that abstract expressionism was it's saviour. He believed paintings should no longer be focused on telling a story but should focus on being a painting. He claimed a painting should not pretend to be something it was not and should embrace it's abstract nature with a focus on surface and colour.
I found this was very interesting way of viewing my work but I could also see that since Greenberg's time painting had evolved and moved away from his very strict ideals. I was interesting to see how his ideas had revitalised painting during the twentieth century before fading away and now often being dismissed by artists and critics.
Exploring art history throughout this model was a really valuable experience and allowed me to perceive and read my own and others work in new ways. To understand what has happened in the art world before now seems very important in understanding the contemporary art world. This was the perfect introduction to critical studies and has set me up with the background knowledge I need to explore areas of art history and contemporary theory in far more detail in the future.