An artwork is an object that reflects creativity or skill by the artist. Its function can be personal, such as expressing emotions or creating pleasure, or it can serve a practical purpose. It can also be social, such as bringing awareness to social issues or motivating change in society. Artwork can be physical, such as a sculpture or painting, or it can be intangible, such as a performance or video. The concept of art is a complex one, and the definitions that are used vary from person to person. The functions of artworks are explored in the philosophical field of aesthetics.
Some artworks have no obvious or apparent function, and their purpose may be difficult to explain. These works are often considered by critics to be examples of abstract, experimental, or conceptual art. Examples include the paintings of Mark Rothko and Salvador Dal
In a more traditional sense, the term “artwork” is used to refer to works that are considered masterpieces by contemporary art critics and historians. These are works of great skill and beauty that are exhibited in museums or galleries. Artworks are usually classified into several categories, such as fine arts, crafts, and popular arts.
Another type of artwork is designed to stimulate thought or provoke discussion, such as the political art of Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. The kinetic art of Alexander Calder and other sculptors can serve this function as well. It can be a tool to raise awareness for a variety of social issues, such as autism, global warming, cancer, and AIDS. The practice of trapshion, which involves recycling trash into fashion, is another example of using art for a social cause.
Artwork can also serve a personal function for the creators, as in the case of sculpture or painting. In addition, it can be a way to relieve mental stress. Creating art, or simply viewing it, can help people focus on positive life experiences and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. A study involving women with breast cancer who were given creative arts assignments, such as collage, pottery, and watercolor, found that these activities lowered their symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increased their self-esteem and confidence.
A number of philosophical debates have occurred over the nature of artworks. One approach, which is called cladistic, defines artworks in terms of their lineage. Hence, every art tradition and artworld has a specific prehistoric art ancestor. This approach has a few worrying implications. First, it seems to imply that as long as an art tradition retains its ancestor, it can never be destroyed. This resolutely anthropocentric view can also make it impossible to identify artworks made by nonhumans, as they would not be part of the right lineage.