How should I choose my artworks for my Comparative Study?

Is this a question that you have asked your teacher, your friends and/or your parents? Is it a question that you have asked yourself?

It’s important that you make the right choice, particularly if you are a Higher-Level student with the criterion F implications (connections to own art-making).

On the other hand, time may be slipping by while you keep asking the question, and you are going to have to make a decision at some point:  prevaricating will just diminish the time available for actually writing the thing. It may be quicker and ultimately more rewarding for you to simply jump in.

A little like ripping off the band-aid plaster – just do it!

With this approach in mind I would like to point you in the direction of the quirky, cross-cultural and fabulous ‘Groups of Three’ combinations assembled by Kyle Staver and posted on his Instagram page.

I’m not necessarily suggesting that you simply use one of his ready-assembled trios – but think about the links that have been created and have a go at casting your own net across the wonderful ocean that is art history.

It’s always a bonus if you have already seen at least one of the selection in the flesh (e.g. in a gallery or an art museum) but that could be your starting point.

For example, I enjoyed seeing these six groups of artworks side by side…

Fragonard, Hilla Rebay and Courbet https://www.instagram.com/p/By0jpTIFTet/

Falling Man petroglyph Gold Butte Montana, Sydney Nolan and Louis M Eilshemius https://www.instagram.com/p/B24rW05F4w2/

Egon Schiele, Edward Munch and Louis Eilshemius https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AKaK8FbsY/

George Segal, Roy Lichtenstein and Picasso https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CVsuHFnD2/

Lucian Freud, George Condo and Horacio Rodolfo de Sosa Cordero https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HeUyilvqi/

Kouros from Attica 540-530 BC, Marsden Harley and Dubuffet https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zRuYylvQT/

There are currently 994 sets of three – take a look!

Of course, selection may also be considered the easiest part of the process, with the bulk of time then spent on investigation and research, comparing and contrasting, and observing and making those important connections between your research and your art-making practice.

But if you are stuck on the very first question – choosing your artworks – adopting the Kyle Staver approach might help!

Thanks, of course, to the Kyle Staver for putting together and posting these clever and creative groups of three!