Contemp/Modern Art: where do u separate this from sculpture?

Nishart · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 116 Location: Victoria

For years I have explored different galleries/artshows looking at all the different styles of art/scuplture that are out there. I love everything from realistic styles to current or modern styles. Obviously your own tastes will draw you to some works more than others, but that is natural.

Keeping in mind i am mostly a hobby artist and am currently unfamiliar with all the different genres within current/modern art & scuplture (I hear different terms but not quite sure of their meaning at times).

Anyway my dilemma is this. I have mostly worked in paint (oil/acrylic) and pencil drawing/sketching & basic photography. I have recently been trawling the library for info on how to find techniques on how to do some artwork i currently have an idea to do. And found some sculpture techniques might be the way to go.

I will do a separate post on how the heck i am going to do this or for ideas but for now I am thinking of doing a work based on canvas that will hang on a wall but will be mixed media.

My current idea for one canvas is that it will be cut, a small section of canvas frame cut into & some kind of modeling clay or moulding paste used to create the effect off from the canvas to create a kind of 3d image of rocks at a beach, with glass being the water effect within the cut part of the canvas. It is intended to hang on a wall.

If i ever get this to a stage i will be happy with, does it get classified as sculpture or contemporary/modern art? & what category would you enter it into in an artshow?...paint/mixed media?

Where does the line exist between contemporary/modern art & sculpture and how do you identify which art show a piece of work would really need to be entered into?

belle · Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: Newcastle

It doesn't need to fit a category. It is a mixed media work (painting) or if the depth is very great it is a relief (sculpture). Some painting competitions specify a depth but mostly it would be accepted as painting. Don't worry about it. Just do it. Post a picture as you go so we can see it.
Good Luck Very Happy

Nishart · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 116 Location: Victoria

Thanks Belle,
What if it is a mixture of items that are put into the structure of the picture besides paint. Can it still be classified as contemporary art?

Steve Gray · Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 1569 Location: Geelong

it's fine to call it contemporary but really it's mixed media... contemporary, now that's a term to come to terms with! Smile

Nishart · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 116 Location: Victoria

Hi Steve,
Thanks heaps for that. It has been interesting learning about sculpture & contemporary art etc lately. I might research good sculpting media i can use to pull off some of the ideas I have. I sometimes wonder how much you can get away with with mixed media coming off/out of a canvas. As i am new to this field I am learning from scratch what mixed media i can/should use & what i can get away with lol.

Belle,
Thanks heaps, i still havent figured out how to put a photo on this website yet lol....too technical for me hehe. Mind you, life has been a bit busy to do much at the moment with my artwork anyway.