Mandatory Question: Impact of Social, Cultural and/or Other Influences

Understanding Influence in Art

Analyse the impact of social, cultural and other external factors on works of art, and how these factors can shape the meaning and interpretation of an artwork.
Understand that these influences can often determine the form, content, concept, and style of a piece of art.
Learn how to identify influences in art and how to communicate these influences in your review and interpretation of an artwork.

Investigate the impact of societal norms, values and politics on the creation and reception of art.
Recognise how historical events or current issues may deeply influence the creation and interpretation of an artwork.
Explore how artists use their work to comment on, criticise, or draw attention to social issues, and the techniques they use to highlight their messages.

Cultural Influence on Art

Asses the effects of culture, including customs, traditions, beliefs and ways of life, on art.
Realise that the artist’s cultural background can significantly affect the themes and styles they employ in their artwork.
Understand how an artwork can be a reflection of the cultural context in which it was created.

Other Influences on Art

Consider external factors such as environmental concerns, economic climate, personal experiences, or technological progress and how they may shape an art piece.
Identify these influences in a range of artworks, and learn to discuss their impact in aesthetic, conceptual and contextual terms.
Explore how these influences are often interrelated and can directly affect the production, curation, preservation, and interpretation of art.

Analysing and Interpreting Influences

Develop the skill of critical thinking to analyse and interpret the influences in a piece of art.
Grasp how to express your interpretations and understanding of these influences verbally and in writing.
Learn to use specific examples from artworks to support the analysis and interpretation of various influences in an artwork.

The Role of Influence in Your Own Art

Reflect on how social, cultural and other influences may have impacted your own artwork.
Be able to articulate these influences when discussing your work, and recognise how they impact your artistic decisions.
Understand the importance of authentic expression and acknowledging the influences that have shaped your artistic practice.