In this discussion, well expand on the topics from the visual arts unit and explore ideas of iconography, geography, identity, and spirituality. Look over the following articles and choose one or more to focus on. Respond to one or more of the prompts below and/or address a similar question raised by the article(s).

Next, reply to at least one other student about a different article. Your response(s) should have substance and further the conversation; dont just restate their comment and say you agree! Its fine to ask questions or bring in other relevant topics and links.

NOTE: all posts should be your own words and ideas. Please do not use AI to outline, generate, or otherwise do your thinking for you. I am interested in your educational progress, not “perfect” answers from bots! Posts that are determined to be AI-generated will not receive credit, since they do not represent meaningful engagement in a discussion with other humans.

Your first post and reply should be made before the due date. Participate early and often!

Articles

(Artsy) [Ghana]

• How is Quarshies work global, and how is it local?
• In what ways does he incorporate the theme of vessels?
• What does the curator mean when she says that Quarshie is approaching painting through other forms of objecthood?
• Does he plan to move to Nigeria? Why or why not?

(Artsy) [Spain]

• What medium does Gonzlez Martn work in, and to what iconography do her works refer?
• What does she do differently from the originals, in terms of composition or detail?
• In your own words, describe the artists ideas about ambiguity and solitude.

(WBUR) [America]

• What mediums does Holmes use, and how do they relate to the theme of memory?
• How does geography relate to identity in her work?
• What effect does Holmes hope her art has on viewers?

(Artsy) [India]

• Describe Singhs background, training, and career.
• How does Singh incorporate Indian history and artistic traditions? What other visual languages does she use?
• How has the international art market responded to her work?

(ArtNet News) [Iran/America]

• Why did Khosravi come to America?
• Who are her paintings about? What are they not about?
• How does Khosravi incorporate Persian history and artistic traditions? What other traditions influence her work?

(Artsy) [Iran/Colombia]

• What is the shared theme of this exhibition?
• How do the artists each exemplify this?
• View more of the art by at least one of these artists. What is it about, and what is notable about it?

(ArtNet News) [Russia]

• How is Savchenkovs work about himself, and how is it about his country?
• What does it have to do with the themes of control and agency?

(ArtNet News) [Japan]

• In your own words: what sort of artist is Tatsuo Miyajima?
• What culture is he from, what mediums does he work in, and what spiritual tradition influences his work?
• Where does the idea of all things are impermanent come from? How does Miyajima apply it in his art?
• What is Sea of TimeTOHOKU? Describe the concept, the process, and the current status.
• What did Miyajima like about lockdown?

General Questions about the Articles

• What themes or practices seem to be common among contemporary artists, in relation to geography, identity, or spirituality?
• Which works do you find more compelling or effective?
• Share any other contemporary artists you know about who are doing something related to geography, identity, or spirituality.