‘Derivation of Subject Matter/Content from Themes among University Fine Art Students - Analysis of Selected Paintings by Students at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Wango, Kamau
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East African Nature and Science Organization
Abstract
In certain painting unit requirements, students are expected to interpret themes and
generate appropriate subject matter that ultimately expresses or depicts how they
artistically interpret given themes and generate painted pictorial compositions that
showcase the same. Themes are specific compartments or clusters of the
description of life in its natural existence or manifestations. Themes may feature
the environment, nature, manifestations, occurrences, perceptions, and
philosophies that are segmented in a way that is orderly and comprehensible to
human beings. Hence themes are as broad-based as the entire body of
manifestations that underscore human existence, endeavours, and behaviours.
Without this demarcation and description of themes, it would be difficult to
understand the myriad of ways in which human beings respond to their existence.
Since themes are broad and exciting from an artistic context, they are, in essence,
infinite and have to be broken down into fathomable subject matter that the artist
can accommodate, justify, and explain; and the audience can, subsequently,
appreciate and rationalize. Fine art students are, in this regard, introduced to the
importance of themes as consolidated lenses through which the world is viewed,
but more importantly, the need to develop the skill of deconstructing themes into
tangible subject matter or digestible content. The ability to break down themes
into specific content is of importance to student artists as they learn to construct
their ideas. These ideas, whether or not they bear a certain element of spontaneity,
are based on some form of focused response to a given inspiration. The issue of
spontaneity and precision of thematic interpretation can often be confusing to
students and artists alike but while they all must be aware of the need for a thematic
approach to their work, they must be at the same time mindful of the need for
expressive freedom and space. This paper seeks to determine the extent to which
subject matter is used by students as a strategy for expressing themselves and,
further, the extent to which the content they develop within this subject matter is
successfully derived from themes as a source of inspiration. The paintings featured in this paper were developed during the course of the semester at Kenyatta
University and were in specific response to the derivation of subject matter from
themes. The students were, however, free to interpret themes in the way they found
appropriate and were not bound to depict certain contents or contexts in their work.
In keeping with the general belief that paintings are themselves not necessarily
based on the dogmatism or rigidity of themes in their expressiveness, and in being
careful not to stifle the ability of students to express their ideas, the students were
encouraged to display a level of spontaneity in their work which is a hallmark of
the beauty of the painting. This paper pre-supposes, therefore, that an effective
approach to the development of good paintings is found in their spontaneity just
as much as it is found in the interpretation or breakdown of themes.
Description
Article
Keywords
Painting, Themes, Subject Matter, Content, Context, Spontaneity
Citation
Wango, K. (2023). ‘Derivation of Subject Matter/Content from Themes among University Fine Art Students-Analysis of Selected Paintings by Students at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 6(1), 199-236.