trice's Top 10

The 15 Most Popular Questions About

Art

Beatrice Lessi

From the absolute record sale ever in art, to why did Warhol paint Campbell Soup… what is the
answer? Here is our collection of the most popular art questions.
1. WHAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE WORK OF ART?
Some paintings stay in Museums and are therefore considered priceless. Of those auctioned and
sold, the most expensive one is Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci,  paid $450.3 million
(cover photo).
From Wikipedia:
15 November 2017 by Christie’s in New York to Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin
Farhan Al Saud,who was acting on behalf of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism,
for $450.3  million, setting a new record for most expensive painting ever sold at public
auction.In late 2017, reports stated that the painting would be put on display at the Louvre Abu
Dhabi,  but the scheduled September 2018 unveiling was canceled without explanation, and the
current location and status of the painting is unknown.
Here is the top ten:
1.Salvator Mundi, Leonardo da Vinci, $450 million (but recently is has been claimed it could be
a fake)
2. Interchange, Willem de Kooning, $300 million
3. The Card Players, Paul Cézanne, $250 million+
4.  Nafea Faa Ipoipo,  (When Will You marry?), Paul Gauguin, $300 million
5.  N 17A, Jackson Pollock, $200 million
6. Wasserschlangen II, Gustav Klimt, $183.8 million
7. No.6 (Violet, Green and Red), Mark Rothko, $186 million (EUR 140)
8. Pendant Portraits of Maertens Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, Rembrandt, $180 million
(EUR  160 million)
9. Women of Algiers (Version O), Pablo Picasso, $179 million (£115m)
10. Nu Couché, Amedeo Modigliani, $ 170.4 million
 
2. WHY IS MONA LISA SO FAMOUS?
Mona Lisa went viral in 1911 when the painting was stolen from the Louvre in Paris. Until that
point, it was “just another painting” by one of the many Renaissance masters. But with the
paintings disappearance for two years, she became famous world-wide. People sent flowers to
the museum. Poems and songs were written about her.
That being said, a lot of people really are drawn to that enigmatic smile, since it’s such a unique
expression, even today, so The Mona Lisa popularity is due to different reasons.
Portraits have historically served several purposes, and the Mona Lisa never really fully fit into
any of them. Because it’s not a clearly defined, easily explainable work of art, people keep
coming back to it. We want answers, and simply put, it bugs us that we don’t have them, so we
keep looking for them.
3. WHY CAN ART BE SO EXPENSIVE?
Top prices and deals happen for a combination of many factors:
How popular the author is
How popular the piece of art is
How good the quality of the artwork is (every artists has phases – the art made during the best
moment of his/her career usually fetches the highest prices)
How good its state is (even if old or ancient, an expensive piece has to be in a good state)
Preceding ownership (how famous or popular its preceding owner is)
Rarity
Authenticity
Marketing
Fashion
Freshness (meaning it was not much on offer on the market)
Economic situation in period of purchase
4. HOW MANY PIECES OF ARTS ARE PRODUCED BY ARTISTS IN A LIFETIME?
French painter Claude Monet painted 1983 paintings. Paul Cézanne 954, Henri
Rosseau 261, Edvard Munch 1789, René Magritte 1094, Paula Modersohn-Becker 734, Wassily
Kandisky 1177, Joan Mirò 2078 and Georgia O’Keeffe 821.
Paul Klee produced in his lifetime 733 paintings, 4877 drawings, 3197 paperworks, 54 etchings,
38 lithographies , 3 woodworks, 16 sculpture. Altogether a whopping number of 8918 works.
The number of works greatly changes and depends on many factors: life situation, work, time,
availability of materials, etc. Often we also don’t have all the works produced by an artist, so we
often don’t know what they really produced.
5. CAN A GOOD FAKE BE ART TOO?
Art forgery is the creating and selling of works of art which are falsely credited to other, usually
more famous, artists. An art forger must be at least somewhat proficient in the type of art he is
trying to imitate, but his work is is nonetheless a fake. Art forgery can be extremely lucrative. As
long as a seller doesn’t claim that a forgery is an original, making and selling copies is obviously
allowed.
Switzerland’s Fine Art Expert Institute (FAEI) has a solemn warning for collectors across the art
market: buyer beware. According to a report by the AFP, the Geneva-based FAEI’s chief Yann
Walther claims that estimates of 50 percent of art circulating on the market being forged or
misattributed are likely on the conservative end of the spectrum.
Not all artworks that look made by a certain artist are made by him either. For
example, Rembrandt made for sure 320 pieces – the rest have been ascribed to students, co-
workers and to later painters imitating his style and learning the profession.
6. WHICH COLOURS ARE USED MOST IN ART?
White is used very often as background (it’s also the basic color of paper and canvas)
Black is also used as background, to create contrast with white, for declination, and in grey
tones.
Yellow is used a lot because it’s often necessary for mixing with other colors.
Red, being very strong, is used much less than yellow.
Blue it’s used much less than the preceding colors. However, it is often mixed with white, black,
yellow and red.
7. IS GRAFFITI ART?
Graffiti has been accused of vandalism, illegality, incoherence, and nonstandard presentation.
However, its relationship with art is quite complicated.
In 2008 a group of London graffiti artists were jailed, and by contrast, just down the road, the
riverside facade of Tate Modern had been covered in giant murals by six urban artists with
international reputations.
Bansky‘s record sales of his paintings also testify the popularity of this type of art. At the same
time, though, he’s object of criticism too.
There is no definitive answer to this question – is graffiti art? The choice is yours.
8. CAN ANYBODY BE AN ARTIST?
There is no need for a license to be an artist, so anybody can call him/herself so.
For a person to be recognised and accepted by other people as an artist, though, is another matter.
In the past becoming an artist was more complicated.
Under careful tutelage, the apprentice would survey the work of the master and develop a style.
Students would stay apprentices until the
master deemed them capable enough to work on their own. During their studies apprentices had
little room to interject personal ideas
because they weren’t learning ideas, they were learning skills.
As times changed, skills were no longer needed to be an artist.
9. IS EVERYTHING MADE BY FAMOUS ARTISTS AUTOMATICALLY ART?
Nothing is automatically art.
Often artists are unhappy with their results. On the other hand, it’s not only them deciding what
is art and what isn’t. Their work needs to be exposed to the art environment and/or to the public
to be rated and recognised. When an artist becomes famous, normally everything he or she
produces gets a faster and easier approval.
10. WHY ARE THE MOST FAMOUS ARTISTS MALE?
The Guerrilla Girls, and New York-originated group of feminist, female artists devoted to
fighting sexism and racism within the art world, ask themselves this question too.
Like in many other fields, women were long kept out of the art decision making and were almost
exclusively used as models.
The only artistic field where women earn as much as men, right now, is music business. Art is
still behind.
Artists, gallerists, art professors, collectors, critics, museum directors used to be mostly male.
Luckily this trend has started to change, but not enough yet.
11. WHAT IS THE MOST SPECTACULAR ART THEFT IN THE WORLD?
Perhaps the most famous case of art theft occurred on August 21, 1911, when the Mona Lisa was
stolen from the Louvre by employee Vincenzo Peruggia, who was caught after two years.
In 1994, Edvard Munch’s The Scream was stolen from the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway,
and held for ransom. It was recovered later in the year.
These robbery greatly contributed to the paintings’ popularity.
12. DID ANDY WARHOL LIKE TOMATO SOUP?
Reflecting on his career, Andy Warhol claimed that the Campbell’s Soup Can was his favourite
work and that
I should have just done the Campbell’s Soups and kept on doing them … because everybody only
does one painting anyway.
Why Campbell’s soup? Warhol explained, “I used to drink it. I used to have the same lunch
every day, for twenty years.”
 The famous Campbell’s soup can. Photo: artasiapacific.com

13. ARE THERE PIECES OF ART WHOSE AUTHOR IS UNKNOWN?

Yes, there are countless artworks whose author is unknown. Medieval artists were largely
anonymous. We would not hesitate to call them artists, but they were stilled considered
craftsmen . As with ancient/classical art, the stamp of the individual artist was seen to be lesser
or unimportant. The stamp of the Guild was all – it testified to the training of the person who
made it.
During the Renaissance a new idea developed: a great artist is also a great person. Also, the 15th
century art is intimately related to wealth. Ask most people to name an artist, and they will give
you a name from the Renaissance. From then on, artists started to become popular.
14. CAN ARTISTS LIVE FROM THEIR WORK, OR DO THEY ALL NEED A SECOND
JOB?
Only a minority of artists can live thanks to their art only.
It was like this in the past (when artists worked for a church, a city, a rich family) and it is the
same now. Many artists are supported by families, scholarships, foundations. Only a part of their
income comes from the sale of their work.
15. WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT ART?
There is no clear answer to this question, but quoting again Hatje Kantz we can use the following
examples:
There would be noise and tones – but no music
There would be letter and words, but no stories, recollections or novels
There would be pictures but no movie
There would be colors, dots and lines, but no drawing or figures
There would be shapes and materials, but no sculptures
There wouldn’t be a way to express human ideas, emotions, imagination, memories and
thoughts. We wouldn’t know how the past looked like.
Whatever is difficult to find in life …is possible in the arts
 

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82 Questions to Ask about Art



Inside: Why classroom art discussion is a vital part of art education and 82 questions about art you can
use in your classroom.

If you are stumped about how to lead a discussion about a work of art, use this list of
art questions to give you some ideas!
As art teachers, we know the importance of creativity and the joy of making
something with your own hands, but we also know the power of looking at the
artworks of others.

Looking at art is an emotional, independent experience. Each person looking at a

work of art will view it through the lens of their life and draw different meanings
based on what they see. Talking about art allows us to break free of our solitary
interpretations and uncover new insights.

Classroom art discussions are a launching pad for creativity, collaboration, and
cognition. By exposing our students to works of art, giving them the space to examine
their reactions, and opening a dialogue to share their thoughts, we help them develop
empathy, connect with history, flex their critical thinking and observation skills, and
consider the human spirit.

If you haven’t done it before, starting a classroom art discussion can be intimidating,
but the benefits are worth overcoming the nerves. Below you’ll find 82 questions you
can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classes. If
you’d like more guidance, check out my five tips for leading a meaningful classroom
art discussion.

Grab this art questions list and an artwork from 10 Artworks Perfect for an Art
Criticism Lesson for older students or 20 Great Artworks to Look at with Young
Kids for younger children, and start talking about art with your students!

Pair these questions with art cards for a variety of engaging art appreciation activities!
Learn how to make a DIY art collection and start a weekly masterpiece presentation in
your classroom in this post.
Want all of these art questions plus printable question cards in a free PDF download?
 FREE RESOURCE!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with
your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect
for laminating!

DOWNLOAD

Questions About Art

1. What’s going on in this artwork?
2. What was your first reaction to this artwork? Why do you think you had the
reaction? 
3. Does your opinion about the artwork change the longer you look at it? Why?
4. Describe the lines in this artwork
5. Describe the colors in the artwork
6. Which area of the artwork is emphasized by the artist? Why?
7. Which area of the artwork is most important? Why?
8. How did this artist use space? (Space in Art Examples)
9. How did the artist use balance?  (Artworks that Use Balance)
10.How did the artist use proportion?  (Examples of Proportion in Art)
11.How does your eye move through the artwork? What choices did the artist make
to make that happen?
12.Close your eyes and describe the artwork from memory. Why did you remember
what you remembered? Why did you forget what you forgot?
13.How would you describe this artwork to someone who has never seen it?
14.What elements of this painting seem real?
15.What adjectives would you use to describe this artwork?
16.What verbs would you use to describe this artwork?
17.What elements seem dreamlike or imaginary?
18.What is strange about this painting?
19.What is mysterious about this artwork?
20.What is normal about this artwork?
21.What is boring about this artwork?
22.Why is this artwork not boring to look at?
23.What is exciting about this artwork?
24.If this painting had sound effects, what would they sound like? (More activities
about art senses)
25.If this artwork was a brand, what would be its slogan?
26.What is missing from this artwork?
27.If this artwork were music, what would it sound like?
28.If this artwork could dance, what song would it dance to?
29.What do we know about the artist after viewing this artwork?
30.If you could ask the artist a question, what would you ask him/her?
31.Who do you think was this artwork created for? Why do you say that?
32.How do you think the artist feels about the final product?
33.How do you think this artwork was made?
34.Why do you think this artist created this work?
35.What do you think this artist is trying to say in this artwork? What is the meaning
or message?
36.What’s the story being told, if any?
37.What do you think happened before this scene?
38.What do you think happened next?
39.What emotions do you notice in the artwork?
40.What emotions do you feel when looking at this?
41.How do you think the artist was feeling when he created this artwork?
42.How did the artist use line, shape, and color to contribute to the mood or
meaning?
43.What is the title? How does the title contribute to your understanding of the
meaning?
44.What title would you give this artwork?
45.What symbols do you notice in the artwork?
46.What juxtapositions do you notice?
47.Put your body into the pose of some element of this artwork.  How does it feel to
be in that position?
48.What would it feel like to be in this artwork?
49.What does this artwork remind you of? Why?
50.How do you personally relate to/connect with this picture?
51.How can you connect this artwork to your own life?
52.How might you feel differently about the world after looking at this artwork?
53.Why do you think you should be learning about/looking at this artwork?
54.Do you want to see this artwork again? Why?
55.What do you want to remember about this artwork?
56.What do you want to forget about this artwork?
57.Who do you know that would really like this artwork? Why would they like it?
58.Who do you know that would really hate this artwork? Why would they hate it?
59.What do you like about this artwork?
60.What do you dislike about this artwork?
61.What is beautiful about this artwork?
62.Why would someone want to steal this artwork?
63.If you could change this artwork, how would you change it? Why?
64.What does this artwork say about the culture in which is was produced?
65.How do you think this artwork was used by the people who made it? What was its
function?
66.Was this intended to be a work of art or not? Why do you think that? How does
that impact your understanding of the artwork?
67.What does this painting say about the world in which we live?
68.What does this artwork teach us about the past?
69.How does this artwork teach us about the future?
70.What was happening in history when this artwork was made? How does that
change your understanding of the artwork?
71.What are the values and beliefs of the culture in which this artwork was made?
72.How might your interpretation of this artwork be different from someone in
another culture?
73.If you could ask this artwork a question, what would you ask it?
74.If this artwork had eyes, what would it see?
75.If this artwork were a person, what would they want to eat for lunch?
76.If this artwork were a person, what would they look like?
77.If this artwork were a person, what would their personality be?
78.If the art could talk, what would it say?
79.What would this artwork want to do when it grows up?
80.If this artwork could travel anywhere in the world, where would it go? Why?
81.If this painting were a person, what job/career would it want to have?
82.What is this artwork afraid of?

Questions about Art PDF Contents:

  82 Questions About Art (List)
 82 Questions About Art (Printable Index Cards)
 Links to Artwork Suggestions

Printing Instructions:
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from
qualifying purchases.

Download the Printables

This list is available to download in two formats. The first is the list formatted to print
in a pdf (2 pages). The second is the questions formatted to print on cardstock to cut
out and laminate. (They are designed with this Avery (8577 using Template 8387)
Postcard template, so you could also buy the Avery cards and print on them to make it
easier).

If you are a member of The Curated Connections Library, you can get this lesson and
all of my other resources for one monthly  fee. Find out more information at this link.

This article was originally posted on August 31, 2015.




FILED UNDER: Art Connection Activities , Downloads and Resources

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THESE POSTS:

Ancient Sumer Art Lesson
 Toddler: My first YouTube video!
5 Artworks to Promote Introspection

Reader Interactions
24 Comments

1. TORREY

February 7, 2016 at 7:51 pm

Thank you, Cindy. As a middle school art teacher, your prompts are GOLD!!!
  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O CINDY, THE ART CURATOR FOR KIDS

February 8, 2016 at 1:57 pm

Thank you! 🙂

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

2. ALEJANDRA

September 30, 2017 at 12:52 pm

Great guiding questions. Thank you!

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O CINDY INGRAM

October 1, 2017 at 6:01 pm

You’re welcome!
  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

3. BENSON

November 25, 2018 at 1:42 pm

Thank very much for the 82 question. I will take time to look at each one of them.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

4. ELIZABETH

May 11, 2020 at 1:46 am

Amazing thank you soooo much

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O PAUL GARNER

October 18, 2021 at 1:15 pm

 All docents at the Tucson Museum of Art are receiving a “post Covid” refresher

course – these 82 questions are required homework. The effort and insights of the

author (Cindy?) are appreciated and currently being put to good use. Thank you.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

 AMY DAVIS

October 22, 2021 at 8:17 am

That is so awesome to hear! Thank you.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

5. ZOE CAMPOS

July 21, 2020 at 9:27 am

It’s interesting to know that appreciating art can be an emotional and independent

experience. I’m taking Engineering courses right now but visiting a museum once

with my friend made me realize how wonderful art is, even if it doesn’t have any

direct relation to my chosen degree. It might be a good idea to look into realistic

sculptures and start studying art from there.

  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

6. ANGELINA JOHN

October 29, 2020 at 10:21 am

Hi These are great! Can’t seem to download can you help?

Angelina

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

October 30, 2020 at 8:49 am

I will send you an email to help you get this downloaded.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

7. MILDRED O. GABOS

January 17, 2021 at 10:24 pm

 I am interested with this training because this would be a great help for me to enhance

my skills in English efficiency.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

January 20, 2021 at 12:21 pm

So glad you enjoyed it!

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

8. HANNA

January 18, 2021 at 11:24 am

Hi Cindy! I have tried to download these and keep receiving the art appreciation free

resources. I am hoping to utilize them for some parent engagement with my students’

artwork. If you are still able to share the questions about art cards, I would appreciate

it tons! Thank you!

  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

January 20, 2021 at 12:40 pm

Check your email, I am sending the download!

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

9. ALLYSON HUNTSMAN

March 7, 2021 at 9:52 am

Hi there! LOVE these questions, but the download button doesn’t seem to be working

(?)

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

March 9, 2021 at 12:29 pm

The glitch is fixed! You can now download using the button.
  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

10. ALEXANDRA DIOSE

March 21, 2021 at 9:43 pm

It helps me a lot. Thank you.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

March 23, 2021 at 11:46 am

Awesome! You’re welcome.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

11. CRAFTY THINKING

August 4, 2021 at 7:10 am

Thanks for your valuable resources keep sharing the information like this…
  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

12. JESS

October 3, 2021 at 8:29 pm

Hey there, thanks for creating such a great resource. But I cant seem to download it,

any help is appreciated. Jess

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

October 8, 2021 at 7:15 am

Thanks for letting me know! I emailed you.

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

13. BRIANNA

March 2, 2022 at 1:53 pm

i look forward to read these for my project at school very helpful
  REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

O AMY DAVIS

March 4, 2022 at 8:20 am

Great, Brianna!

 REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

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but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only
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Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and
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MELISSA G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats
with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in
front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So
cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
CAROLINE G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class
Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts,
but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only
scratched the surface with your site.
MARYJANE F.
I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs,
feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan
trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong
love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."
ERIN A.
Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students
are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art
Class Curator is awesome!
DENISE W.
Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and
come away with some profound thoughts!
MELISSA G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats
with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in
front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So
cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
 CAROLINE G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class
Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts,
but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only
scratched the surface with your site.
MARYJANE F.
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Blog  > How Art Can Improve Your Quality of Life

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Art is genuinely a gift to the world. It's what we crave in the human

experience. Art gives meaning to our lives and helps us understand our

world. It is an essential part of our culture because it allows us to have a

deeper understanding of our emotions; it increases our self-awareness, and

also allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences. Art therefore

continues to open our minds and our hearts and shows us what could be

possible in our world. 

ART ALLOWS US TO CONNECT WITH OUR INNER SELVES
Art can transform our lives. When we connect with art, we are ultimately

connecting with our inner selves. Art enables us to look within and to listen

to ourselves, realize who we are, and what we care about. It connects us to

our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and our outer realities and experiences.

When we connect with a work, it is possible to encounter a rise in emotions

because it introduces us to new experiences, provides us with a deeper

understanding of our emotions, and shines light on questions we never

knew we even had. As a painter, I love to create because I connect with who

I am to my inner core, and I continue to learn more about myself and what I

am truly capable of. 

But as humans, it is essential to surround ourselves with art created by

others. Art introduces us to a whole new set of experiences and ideas that we

may have never witnessed before. These experiences allow us to look within

because as people, we decide what we’re seeing and feeling based on the

emotional connection that we have with that work of art. As people, we tend

to make emotional choices that are passionate to us, which allows us to

realize what we care about and what we stand for. When we are aware of
this, we tend to be happier and healthier as individuals because we are able

to figure out our purpose in life. 

ART CAUSES US TO HAVE AN APPRECIATION AND

GRATIFICATION FOR WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR LIVES

We tend to be happier when we are able to look at life through a standpoint

of appreciation and gratification - when we are able to view all of the

wonderful details that are going well in our lives instead of focusing on the

alternative.

When we give ourselves the opportunities to connect with art, we are able

to take a step back, reflect what's going on in our world, evaluate our lives,

and reflect. That is why I believe it is so important to gift yourself with

opportunities to incorporate art into your life on a daily basis. This could

be through visiting an artist's studio, a museum, seeing a live show,

watching a movie, or even reading a great book. 

ART BRINGS MORE CREATIVITY, SATISFACTION, AND
HAPPINESS INTO OUR LIVES

Have you ever had an emotional connection to a work of art? Have you ever

experienced a wave of emotions while standing in front of an amazing

painting? I surely have.

Have you ever experienced a work and could not seem to explain the feeling

that it gave you? This experience ultimately comes down to intuitively

connecting with the artist's story, their voice, and their experience. You are

being welcomed into the artist's world. 

Art gives us meaning and helps us understand our world. Scientific studies

have proven that art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us

feel good. When we create art, we elevate our mood, we improve our ability

to problem solve, and open our minds to new ideas. According to Dr. Shelley

Carson, arts ability to improve our mood broadens our attention and allows

us to see further possible solutions to creative problems.

 
Professor Semir Zeki, a neurobiologist at the University College of London,

affirmed that when we stare at great art, our brain is stimulated as when we

fall in love. Art brings increased levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that

aids in controlling the brains reward and pleasure centers. That's why I

believe it is so important to invest and bring art into your home.

When you invest in a work of art, you are investing in a visual story that will

decorate your walls. Almost every work of art has a story behind it or within

it because nothing is ever created in a vacuum. It's essentially a part of the

artist's life.

You are learning about the stories of different people, the lives the lived, the

story behind the artist, and what they went through to create that type of

work. There was a story or a life experience, a meaning or an intention that

inspired that artist to create that work. There was a mission or an idea

behind that drawing or painting. When you collect art, those ideas begin to

decorate your home. And you're bringing those stories and experiences into

your sanctuaries.

 
So friends, my question for you - how are you going to start integrating art

into your life today?

Do you need some help finding the perfect work of art in your home?

Download the free Art Collector's Blueprint . 

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SHOP ORIGINAL PAINTINGS
GET INSPIRED!
ACCESS THE SPIRITUAL ENTREPRENEUR'S ART COLLECTORS BLUEPRINT
What Others Are Saying

"Sammy's painting is the first thing I see each day when I walk into my home

office. Every day it brings a sense of peace and wonder as I begin my day. Not

only is Sammy's work amazing, she has an amazing heart and is a true creative. I

look forward to collecting more of her work in the future."  

    - Tiffany Neuman 

  "My husband and I moved into our new home and was inspired by Samantha's

artwork. We wanted to fill our home with some of her paintings, and purchased

an original (Morning Mist) and two of her prints (After, and Sacred Land).    

    We loved "Morning Mist" and it hangs over our fireplace. It creates a stark

contrast with the function of our fireplace. Samantha's paintings embody so much

energy, and provides the viewer with a glimpse into an etherial world where

wonder exists. Her originals have a textural layer that provides an extra

dimension into these heavenly landscapes.            

My husband and I constantly find something new when looking at the paintings,

and generates great conversations amongst our guests. They feel that it works

really well within our home. The one thing I can say is that Samantha is such a

reasonable and nice person. She loves what she does, and works really hard to

make sure that she embodies her creative window into her paintings. We've made

a personal visit to her studio, and was astounded by all of her active paintings,

and the sheer scale of some of the paintings. She is such a beautiful person, and a
delight to talk to. We highly recommend seeing the works in person, and definitely

talk to Samantha, she has a really good sense in reading people and determining

what works for them.

  - Jose Feliciano 

  We commissioned a painting because we loved her work but wanted a specific

size and colors. We absolutely love our painting! Every time we look at it, we see

something new! It’s the perfect addition to our room! -  

Gayle + Michael Goldberg

View all reviews and testimonials

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TALKING POINT
 Why study art?
Find out why art education is important from artists, young people
and major cultural figures
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Art in schools shouldn’t be sidelined… it should be right there right up in the front
because I think art teaches you to deal with the world around you. It is the oxygen that
makes all the other subjects breathe
Alan Parker, filmmaker

Arts education is in crisis. In the UK, school time and budgets are under pressure and
school inspections increasingly value ‘core’ subjects as the indicators of school level
and success. Subjects including art, music and drama are often sidelined in the
curriculum. This has led to a steady decline in the number of students choosing to
study arts subjects at school.

In 2018 a landmark research project commissioned by Arts Council England, and

undertaken by the University of Nottingham, called Tracking Learning and
Engagement in the Arts (TALE) outlined the overwhelmingly positive benefits of arts
and cultural education for young people. The research drew from the experience and
voices of thousands of young people and their teachers in secondary and special
schools.

We have pulled together some of these voices and findings from TALE and other
research, as well as helpful resources on studying art.

Whether you’re choosing art as a GCSE; would like to study art or design at university;
or are a parent or teacher interested in arts education: explore, join in and have your
say!
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY
ART?
School in general is so stressful… this is the one lesson I look forward to every week
because I know it’s not going to majorly stress me out.
Student, Three Rivers Academy, Surrey
[School is] all very robotic. It’s all very, it needs to be this, this and this. You can’t do
this because it is wrong. It’s all following a strict script. That’s not what we’re made to
do. We’re made to be our own person, we’re made to go off and do something that
someone else hasn’t done before.
Student, Ark Helenswood, Hastings
Creativity is critical thinking and without it how are you going to open up and ask
harder questions? Art opens up those… possibilities to think beyond what we already
know.
Catherine Opie, artist

Learning through and about the arts enriches the experience of studying while at
school as well as preparing students for life after school.

 Arts subjects encourage self-expression and creativity and can build confidence
as well as a sense of individual identity.

 Creativity can also help with wellbeing and improving health and happiness –
many students in the TALE study commented that arts lessons acted as an
outlet for releasing the pressures of studying as well as those of everyday life.

 Studying arts subjects also help to develop critical thinking and the ability to
interpret the world around us.

WHAT ARE ART LESSONS LIKE?

WHAT DO YOU LEARN?
You feel free because it’s just you sitting down, doing your work. No one is there to tell
you what to do. It is just you, sitting there and expressing yourself, and sometimes we
listen to music, which is helpful because you get new ideas.
Student, Archbishop Tenison School, south London
Art is a non pre-prescribed dangerous world full of possibilities.
Cate Blanchett, actor
The art room is a very different space to other spaces in the school. On her visit to
Archbishop Tenison School in London TALE researcher Lexi Earl describes the bustle
of the art classroom:

‘There are piles of sketchbooks, jars with pencils, paintbrushes, sinks splattered with
paint. There are large art books for students to reference. Often there is a kiln,
sometimes a dark room too. There are trays for drying work on, or work is pegged up
over the sink, like clothing on a washing line.’

 The art room is a space where students have the freedom to express their
ideas and thoughts and work creatively.

 The way art is taught means that interaction with other students and with the
teacher is different in art and design classes. Students comment on the bonds
they form with classmates because of their shared interests and ideas. The art
teacher is someone they can bounce ideas off rather than telling them what to
do.

 Studying art and design provides the opportunity to acquire new skills. As well
as knowledge of different art forms, media and techniques you can also gain
specialist skills in areas such as photography and digital technologies.

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Do you think art is important? Do you think the arts should be an essential part of
education? How do you think studying art is useful for the future?

Why Study Art? 2018 is an artwork by collective practice They Are

Here commissioned by the Schools and Teachers team at Tate. The inspiration for the
artwork was prompted by Mo, a 14 year old workshop participant who told the artists
that ‘art is dead’.

All responses are welcome whether you’ve studied art or not! (You will be re-directed
to the Why Study Art? artwork site).

Visit the 'Why study art?' website

TATE CHAMPIONS ART IN

SCHOOLS
ASSEMBLY at Tate Modern © Tate

Every year Tate Modern hosts ASSEMBLY, a special event for around 1500 London
school students and their teachers. The students are invited to occupy, explore and
take part in activities in Tate’s Blavatnik building and Turbine hall – which are closed
to all other visitors.

This annual event, first staged in 2016 which invited schools from all over the UK,
reflects Tate’s mission to champion the arts as part of every child’s education. The
project aims to highlight not only the importance of visual culture in young people's
lives, but the importance of those young people as future producers of culture.

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RESEARCH AT TATE
Tracking Arts Learning and Engagement (TALE) was a collaborative research project
involving Tate, The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the University of
Nottingham. The research focused on thirty secondary schools spread across England
and included three special schools.

Over three-years (2015 – 2018) the research investigated four main questions:

 What do teachers learn from deep engagement with cultural organisations?

 How do teachers translate this learning into the classroom?

  What do pupils gain from these learning experiences?

 What do the two different models of teacher professional development at Tate

and RSC offer and achieve?

See the findings of the project and explore fascinating insights through the project
blogs that feature the voices of students and teachers interviewed during the research.

Read more about TALE

I DON’T WANT TO BE AN ARTIST –

WHY BOTHER STUDYING ART?
It doesn’t matter if you’re going to study history or geography or science, you still need
to be creative because the people who are the outliers in those fields are the most
creative people. To have art eroded in schools is disastrous…
Cornelia Parker, artist
Those skills go with you for the rest of your life as well. If you go for an interview, if
they can see that you’re confident it is better for them because they know that they
can ask questions that need to be asked.
Student, Ark Helenwood, Hastings

Art may not be your favourite subject, but studying the arts alongside other subjects
significantly boosts student achievement. Schools that integrate arts into their
curriculum show improved student performance in Maths, English, critical thinking and
verbal skills.

Arts education can also help with developing skills and ways of working that will
benefit you in the future in whatever career you choose.

 The leading people in any field are those who can think creatively and
innovatively. These are skills that employers value alongside qualifications.
Making and participating in the arts aids the development of these skills

 When you study art you learn to work both independently and collaboratively,
you also gain experience in time management – skillsets valued by employers

 Studying the arts teaches determination and resilience – qualities useful to any
career. It teaches us that it is okay to fail, to not get things totally right the first
time and to have the courage to start again. As a drama student at King
Ethelbert’s School, Kent commented: ‘Like with every yes, there is like 10 nos…
It has taught me that if I work on it, I will get there eventually. It is determination
and commitment. It has definitely helped’
IS ART GOOD FOR SOCIETY AND
COMMUNITIES GENERALLY?
You don’t have innovation if you don’t have arts. It’s as simple as that
Anne-Marie Imafidon, CEO of Stemettes which encourages girls to pursue careers in
science and technology
It was really when I was at art school that I started to see the relationship between
history, philosophy, politics and art. Prior to that I thought that art was just making
pretty pictures – actually art is connected to life.
Yinka Shonibare, artist
Art and cultural production is at the centre of what makes a society what it is
Wolfgang Tillmans, artist

Arts and cultural learning is more important than ever for the health of our
communities and our society

Creativity is essential in a global economy that needs a workforce that is

knowledgeable, imaginative and innovative. Studying arts subjects also increases
social mobility – encouraging and motivating students from low-income families to go
into higher education. Studying the arts can also help with understanding, interpreting
and negotiating the complexities and diversity of society

 Students from low-income families who take part in arts activities at school are
three times more likely to take a degree

 By making art a part of the national curriculum, we give the next generation of
artists, designers, engineers, creators and cultural leaders the opportunity to
develop the imagination and skills that are vital to our future

 Engagement with the arts helps young people develop a sense of their own
identity and value. This in turn develops personal responsibility within their
school and wider community

 Arts and cultural learning encourages awareness, empathy and appreciation of

difference and diversity and the views of others

TATE COLLECTIVE
Tate Collective is for young people aged 15 to 25 years old. Its aim is to facilitate new
young audiences in creating, experimenting and engaging in our galleries and online
with Tate's collection and exhibitions.
In 2018 Tate launched £5 exhibition tickets for Tate Collective members. If you are 16
to 25 sign-up free to Tate Collective. You don’t have to live in the UK – young people
anywhere in the world can join! Enjoy the benefits of exhibition entry for £5 (you can
also bring up to three friends to shows, each for £5); as well as discounts in Tate’s
cafes and shops.

Join Tate Collective

I LOVE ART – BUT CAN IT BE A

CAREER?
Studying art and design at school opens the door to a range of careers in the creative
industries. The creative industries, which include art, design and music, are an
important part of the British economy – one of the areas of the economy that is still
growing.

Art lessons at school include teaching functional and useful skills that prepare
students for future careers in the arts. Art departments also forge links with arts
organisations and creative practitioners, companies and agencies. They organise
visits and workshops which provide inspiring opportunities to for students to see what
it’s like to ‘do’ a particular job and hear how artists and designers got where they are.
As a student at Uxbride High School commented:

When it is from someone who has actually been through it and does it now you get the
push where you’re like ‘oh, so I could actually genuinely do that myself’, without
having a teacher say it to you.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in art and design explore our art school and
art career resources:
Working at Tate
Find out about working at Tate including how to apply, current jobs or vacancies and
what we do

Art School Debate

Battling about where to study art or whether it's a good idea? Get a second
opinion from those in the know...

EXPLORE MORE


STUDENT RESOURCE

Student Resources
From GCSE and A level exam help and advice on applying for art school, to fun resources
you can use …

 Play, make and explore on Tate Kids

Go to Tate Kids

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