Objectives: 1. Define Critique 2. Elaborate 4 Major Types of Criticism 3. Discuss the 5 Critique of an Artwork/Event

1. ENGLISH FOR
ACADEMIC &
PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES

2. PREPARED BY:
Erwin Menecio
CRITIQUE OF AN
ART, EVENT OR
PROGRAM

3. WHAT IS
CRITIQUE?

4. According to the “Free Dictionary”,
critique is:
 The art of criticism.
 A critical examination or estimate
of a work of literature or art; a
critical dissertation or essay; a
CRITIQUE

5. 1. DESCRIPTION
2. ANALYSIS
3. INTERPRETATION
4. JUDGEMENT OR
EVALUATION
4 MAJOR AREAS OF CRITICISM:

6. 5 CRITIQUE OF AN
ARTWORK AND EVENT

7. 1. BE KIND, NOT NICE

8. Being nice can get conversations stuck in
unnecessary and awkward beating-
around-the-bush exchanges, in which
people sometimes get caught up in not
offending anyone by not really providing
any critique at all.

9. If you approach being asked to give critique
with a mindset that you are being
consciously kind, but not sickly-sweet-nice,
it will make the process of giving feedback
much more relaxed for everyone involved.

10. 2. SERVE AN HONEST SHIT
SANDWICH

11. This is an oldie but goodie. Word your
criticism so you first make a statement or
remark that is positive (the top piece of
bread of the sandwich you’re making),
followed by a statement of straight up
blatant negative criticism (the shit part in
the middle)

12. Showing up and making, discussing, and
bettering artwork is more than half the
battle, so a shit sandwich with nice bread is
always a good move. It may sound entry-
level to be so contrived in how you present
feedback,

13. but it really does work to reinforce that two
out of three points you’re making are lovely
pieces of encouragement. One of the best
things during critique sessions is that if other
artists are ready and willing to accept criticism
then they’re already well on their way to
improving.

14. Showing up and making, discussing, and
bettering artwork is more than half the
battle, so a shit sandwich with nice bread
is always a good move.

15. 3. ALWAYS OFFER AN OUT

16. Similarly to step 2, Always offer an “out”, or
some kind of gracious solution to negative
critique.

17. When you’re giving hard and honest
feedback, for example, confronting feedback
like telling someone you don’t think they’ve
been spending enough hours on one
particular skill, giving an out might be
empathizing with why they haven’t been
spending time on that skill.

18. Volunteering compassionate statements
about why the point you’re criticizing may
be occurring will create a safe and inclusive
space where you can both chat as artists
and speak freely.

19. 4. BE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

20. If someone has come to you and asked for
your opinion on their artwork, make sure
you have the time to actually do their
question and your answer justice. Ensure
you don’t have to bail five or ten minutes
into a conversation and are set up to look
at their portfolio or be in their studio.

21. If you can’t be in it for at least a decent
conversation of 20-30 minutes, re-
schedule if you can so you can make the
proper time for it. Every time damaging or
traumatizing critique being haphazardly
dished out was when someone had to
rush off and leave the dialogue early.

22. If you can try and form networks with other
artists that you will know for years so you
can develop together and have an ongoing
dialogue of feedback and ideas. This also
goes for the infamous blog comment
section or social media reply.

23. Put some thought into your feedback.
Don’t lash out. Don’t insult. Don’t make it
personal. Remember, we’re all human, and
we all have feelings.

24. 5. KNOW THE LIMITS

25. Giving your opinion on artwork can be really
challenging, and often it feels like there is a
pressure to make the artwork “better” for the
artist. If you can both re-frame your thinking
to see there’s only so much that can be
achieved in a 30 minute chat, you can play
around with practical ideas.

26. Suggesting how the artwork might be re-
designed or re-crafted to be tried in another
way is a great way to start, rather than
suggesting your friend look at re-inventing
their entire artistic style.

27. Critiquing one artwork at a time and talking
about how that particular work relates to
other themes or challenges the artist is facing
helps too.

28. THANK YOU!

29. REFERENCES
https://blog.redbubble.com/2015/04/the-5-best-
ways-to-critique-artwork/