Academic Writing

A 1000 word assignment (excluding, title pages, table of contents and bibliography) that examines the work of a 17th, 18th, or 19th -century Canadian artist as it has been shown in one or two major exhibitions. This paper should demonstrate a breadth of research around your artist and the institution in which it has been exhibited. You are to use exhibition catalogues, scholarly journal articles, books, and newspaper or magazine reviews to uncover the context of the artwork’s exhibition. Innovative approaches to understanding your chosen topic are strongly encouraged: historical, political, religious, cultural, societal, scientific, etc. In choosing an artist/exhibition, often monographs on a particular artist come out of exhibitions of their work. Try searching the library for these types of exhibition catalogues. Also have a look at the exhibition catalogue list included in the syllabus. The central questions of this assignment are: How has this artist’s work been interpreted and presented through exhibition and what does that say about the mandate of the institution in which it was displayed? What do YOU think about this? Use the institution’s website to gain an understanding of it’s mandate. Use exhibition catalogues to see how the work was presented and framed by the exhibition curators. Use newspaper reviews of the exhibition to see how the public and critics responded to the exhibition. Papers will be graded for evidence of research, method of approach, historical knowledge and style. It is crucial that you develop a strong thesis argument in approaching your artist, exhibition and institution. Biographical summary and description DOES NOT suffice. Take an angle and a stance!! Always remember that someone should be able to take up an argument in opposition to yours.