1. What is my work about
IB 2
Mr. Dorofy
(Defined From AP Studio Art Guidelines)
A concentration is a body of related works based on an individual's interest in a particular idea
expressed visually. It focuses on a process of investigation, growth, and discovery. It is not a selection of
a variety of works produced as solutions to class projects, or a collection of works with differing intents.
Students are free to work with any idea in any medium. However, the concentration should grow out of
a plan of action or investigation. The student is asked to show, in depth, a personal commitment to a
specific visual idea or to a particular mode of working.
Now that you are all in the home stretch of your coursework at VCS you will prepare to create a
culminating body of work to complete your high school art portfolio. This can be an intimidating task if
it isn’t broken down into a few steps to make sense of all you have done up to this point. In preparation
for the concentration phase of this course, please answer the following questions in your RWBs/
Sketchbooks:
1. If I could work in one medium, what would that be and why?
2. What are some things I’ve always wanted to try in my work but haven’t had a chance to yet?
3. What concepts do I most often work with? – Create a list if necessary
4. What is my favorite subject matter to work with (landscape, figure, still life, etc.)? Why?
5. What are some themes/ topics/ concepts that I am highly interested in from classes other than
art?
6. What are some themes/ topics/ concepts that I am highly interested in from my personal life
(politics, social issues, personal experiences, thoughts and ideas, hopes and dreams, etc.)?
Most concentrations involve a group of works (10 – 15 pieces). Whether a concentration includes a
relatively small number of works or a greater number, the works should be unified by an underlying idea
that has a visual coherence. The concentration could consist of a group of independent works that share
a single theme; for example, an in-depth study of a particular visual problem or a variety of ways of
handling what the student thinks is an interesting subject. If a student uses a subject matter as the basis
of a concentration, the work should show the development of a visual language appropriate for that
subject. Some concentrations involve sequential works; for example, series of studies that lead to, and
are followed by, more finished works. Student should avoid submitting group projects, collaborations,
and or projects that merely require an extended period of time to complete.
The choices of technique, medium, style, form, subject, and content are made by the student, in
consultation with the teacher.
Check out this link for student work examples:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2182.html#name3
Finally, be excited! This is your opportunity to step forward as an individual
artist and show us (and me!) what inspires you.