Activation Matrix Template V2.

Title: Art Critique Procedure

Author: Robyn Matchett
Overarching Purpose or A simplified guide to use while thinking critically about
Outcome: art
Describe what is in the
representation

Describe how those

features
communicate
meaning

Describe the design

choices

Art Gallery space: both hung

artwork as well as sculptures
can be seen

Creates a context for the

figure. People enter art
galleries to view art

Dichromatic colour scheme

(greys and purples).
Artworks are purple to
draw attention to those
symbols

Silhouette of a woman

A viewer in a gallery
setting evaluates art,
whether at surface level or
in depth e.g.: Do I like this
art or Is there a deeper
meaning in this piece

Having a figure populate

the space, viewers are able
to insert themselves into
the setting in order to
simulate the experience of
viewing art.

Text

Prompts to the steps that

should be used when
evaluating art. These short
prompts allow the viewer to
gain the most of their art
viewing experience if they
have followed the prompts

By curving the text it

contrast the straight and
parallel lines in the
background.

Activation Matrix Template V2.0

Title: Art Critique Procedure

Author: Robyn Matchett
Overarching Purpose or A simplified guide to use while thinking critically about
Outcome: art
Describe what is in the
representation

Describe how those

features
communicate
meaning

Describe the design

choices

Art Gallery space: both hung

artwork as well as sculptures
can be seen

Creates a context for the

figure. People enter art
galleries to view art

Dichromatic colour scheme

(greys and purples).
Artworks are purple to
draw attention to those
symbols

Attributes of the
Portrayal

Knowledge Structures
Activated

Principles of Design and

Layout

Dichromatic colour scheme

Brings attention to hung art Contrast

work as well as sculptures
as they contrast their
surroundings

Repetition of forms

Hung artwork is a repeated Repetition

form that strengthens its
association, creating a
recognizable symbol within
the image.

Activation Matrix Template V2.0

Title: Art Critique Procedure

Author: Robyn Matchett
Overarching Purpose or A simplified guide to use while thinking critically about
Outcome: art
Describe what is in the
representation

Describe how those

features
communicate
meaning

Describe the design

choices

Art Gallery space: both hung

artwork as well as sculptures
can be seen

Creates a context for the

figure. People enter art
galleries to view art

Dichromatic colour scheme

(greys and purples).
Artworks are purple to
draw attention to those
symbols

Text and figure

Having the text and figure

overlap brings more
importance to these
elements. They are also
larger, and serve as a
contrast by being organic
rather than geometric
shapes

Hierarchy

Colour scheme and spacing

Objects in the room have

space to breathe, as the
background walls are
white. This unclutters the
space and allows the eye
to roam while not leaving
so much room that the
objects feel lost.

Negative space

Rational:
Thinking critically about artistic choices is an outcome that is repeated throughout the Alberta
Art curriculum. Because of this, I created an image that could be used as a quick reference point

Activation Matrix Template V2.0

for students to use during this process. Much like manouvers in sports, art critiques are formed
by a large skill set that is created through the artistic process. While being able to talk about art is
an important skill, thinking critically of the imagary we consume in our daily lives is a vital skill
in our media driven lives.