ART I WOULD CHOOSE

 Art That Helps Me Focus at My Desk

    For this assignment I imagined decorating the space above my study desk. It’s a small area, so I wanted art that helps me focus and doesn’t feel too loud or busy. I would want artwork that makes studying easier and keeps the space calm. All three works are simple enough to look at without losing attention but still interesting enough to make the room feel nicer.

Work #1 : “One instant, one aspect of nature contains it all”

Monet, Claude. Water Lilies. 1919. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Title: Water Lilies

Artist: Claude Monet

Date: 1919

Location: Musée de l’Orangerie, France

 

    This painting brings a calm feeling into the space, which is what I want when I’m studying. The colors are soft and nothing in the picture feels overwhelming, so it doesn’t distract me. It kind of slows down the room in a good way and makes the desk feel less stressful. Since it’s a quiet painting, it works well in a small area above a desk. I like how peaceful it looks. It just makes the room feel nicer and less tense. 

 

        The two art elements that I think make the painting be a perfect fit for my study desk : 

Color: The blue and green tones create a calm mood and help keep the space relaxed.
Texture: The soft brushstrokes give it a gentle look without pulling your attention away from your work.

    

     I would get a print online. Museum websites and art shops sell licensed reproductions, and that’s the easiest way to get a good quality version without spending a lot. I’d pick a smaller or medium size so it fits the wall space above my study desk and doesn’t look too big for the area.

Work #2 : Kanagawa oki nami ura, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji

Hokusai, Katsushika. The Great Wave off Kanagawa. 1831. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Title: The Great Wave off Kanagawa 

Artist: Katsushika Hokusai 

Date: 1831 

Location: Japan

    Even though the subject is dramatic, the composition is very structured. The organized lines and clear layout make the image easy to read even in a small print above a desk. The symbolism of the boats pushing forward through the wave also ties into staying motivated during stressful study sessions. It makes me feel more motivated. It has energy but not the kind that distracts you.

    

    The two art elements I notice the most in this piece are :

    Line : The curved lines in the wave lead your eyes across the picture in a smooth way that doesn’t interrupt focus. 

    Depth : I like the lack of depth, it keeps the art simple enough for me. 

    The flat and print like style makes the picture seem bold and clean which would be perfect to be put over a desk. 

    Instead of buying a print or ordering a copy, I would just print the artwork myself and put it on my wall. It’s easy to find good images of The Great Wave online, and since my study desk space is small, a regular printed size would fit fine without looking too big or too tiny.

Work #3 : Flower Plate (Pottery)

Vi. Hibiscus Plate. 2024. Lathrop High School, Fairbanks, Alaska.

Title: Hibiscus Plate
Artist: Me (Vi)

Date: 2024 

Location: Lathrop High School, Fairbanks, Alaska

    This piece fits my study desk theme because it’s something I made myself, so it feels personal and calming to have near my workspace. The plate is shaped like a large flower, and the warm red and cream colors make the space feel more inviting. Since it’s handmade, it adds a small reminder of creativity, which actually helps when I’m studying or trying to stay motivated. It also fits the space physically because it’s small and easy to place on the corner of my desk without getting in the way.

    I like this piece because I made it, and it feels nice to decorate my study area with something personal instead of just prints. It makes the space feel more “mine,” and I think it looks pretty.

    

    The two art elements that stand out the most in this piece are form and shape. The 3D form is noticeable because the plate isn’t flat, the raised edges and curved “petal” structure make it feel more sculptural. The shape also matters because it’s designed like a flower with soft and uneven edges that make the piece look more natural and add some warmth to the study space.

References 

                   Art Institute Chicago. (n.d.). Water Lilies. The Art Institute of Chicago. https://www.artic.edu/artworks/16568/water-lilies 

                    The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2019). Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also known as The Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei). Metmuseum.org; The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45434