Art exam

mid year

Exhibition space

An area or venue where artworks are displayed for public or private viewing.

Example: NGV

Public gallery

A non-profit or government funded art gallery open to the public, focused on education, culture and community rather than sales.

Example: The Art Gallery of New South Wales

Commercial gallery

A private art gallery that sells artworks to collectors or the public for profit.

Example: Jan Murphy Gallery in Brisbane

ARI or Alternative art spaces

An independent art gallery ran by the artist, focused on experimental and contemporary art outside of commercial galleries.

Example: Blindside in Melbourne

Curator

A professional responsible for selecting, organising and interpreting artworks in an exhibition. They develop the concepts and manage the presentation of the exhibition.

Example: Thelma Golden

Exhibition designer

A person who plans the aesthetics of the exhibition, including the layout and visuals of the presentation such as lighting and furniture.

Example: David Rockwell

Conservation of artwork

The protection, preservation and restoration of artworks to maintain their condition and prevent damage.

Example: Lora Angelova

Didactic panel

A written panel in exhibitions which provides the viewers with the basic information about the artworks, themes and artists.

Example: Louvre (Mona Lisa’s didactic panel)

Curatorial essay

An essay written by the curator which explains the themes and context of the exhibition.

Example: Thelma Golden, Freestyle (2001)

Catalogue

A printed or digital document on the artworks in the exhibition, with images, artists descriptions and essays.

Example: Women in Abstraction

Materials and techniques

The physical elements and methods used by an artist to create an artwork.

Example: oil paint and broken colour technique.

Aesthetic qualities

the pleasing or beautiful characteristics of something, particularly an artwork.

Example: vibrant colours

Art Style

The visual appearance of the artwork, reflecting the artist’s approach.

Example: Post-impressionism

Artistic influence & inspiration

The people, experiences or cultures that forms the artist’s work and ideas.

Example: Pablo Picasso inspired by cubism.

Art elements and art principles

Elements: the building blocks of art such as line, shape and colour.

Principles: the way elements are arranged to create effective compositions. Like balance, contrast and emphasis.

Art forms

categories of art based on how it was made. Such as painting and photography.

Example: Destiny Deacon photography