Buzz
Naming a work of art is a complex journey, unveiling deeper layers of its essence. Finding the perfect combination of words to convey the intended sense can pose a challenge. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to naming art, there are techniques and exercises to assist in discovering the ideal title. This guide aims to aid you in that quest for the perfect name.
Steps
Exploring Ideas and Themes through Brainstorming
Compile a roster of central themes within the artwork. Engage in a brainstorming session to generate ideas reflecting the essence of your piece. These can range from simple concepts like “nature” or “portrait” to more abstract or subconscious themes like “empathy” or “nostalgia.” Consider the underlying message of your artwork and how the title can effectively communicate it.
Uncover the Drive Behind Your Artwork. What sparked the creation of this piece? Reflect on your emotions surrounding the artwork and the message you wish to convey. What emotions does the artwork evoke in you? Determine the narrative you aim to share.
Highlight the Artwork’s Focal Point. Every artwork possesses focal points that the artist intends for viewers to notice first or emphasize. Consider the central focus of your piece. What aspect do you want viewers to pay attention to? Titling your artwork after its focal point can enhance viewers' understanding.
- Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” directs attention to the small jewel adorning the subject's ear.
Provide Insight for Your Audience. Titles often serve to guide audiences in interpreting artworks. They offer cues for understanding the piece. What information do you want viewers to gain from your artwork?
- Do you aim to steer viewers toward a particular interpretation with your title? For instance, a depiction of a dog on a beach can convey various messages. However, titling it “Abandoned” suggests the dog's plight, while “Best Friend” evokes a different response.
- Some artists opt for ambiguous titles, allowing viewers to interpret the artwork freely.
Infuse Personal Meaning into Your Title. Regardless of your rationale for selecting a title, ensure it holds personal significance. Remember, you're the artist, and the artwork primarily serves your vision. Some artists prefer titles that encapsulate specific meanings, serving as reminders of the creative process, inspiration, and more.
- Frida Kahlo titled a painting “I Belong to My Owner” during her tumultuous affair with exiled communist Leo Trotsky. The depiction of wildflowers in a vase symbolizes her intense affection for Trotsky intertwined with her desire to extricate herself from the affair.
Seeking Creative Sparks
Find Inspiration in Poems or Quotes. Incorporating snippets of your favorite poem or quote can serve as a captivating and fitting title for your artwork. Similarly, you might select a passage from a book. However, keep it concise and ensure it enhances the artwork’s meaning, avoiding randomness.
- Copyright concerns are minimal unless extensive quotes are used. Utilizing a few words from a poem or book in a transformative manner typically falls under fair use guidelines.
- Pam Farrell titled her painting “Seasick Sailor,” inspired by lyrics from songs by both Beck and Bob Dylan.
- David White adopted titles from books and movies, such as “The Man Who Knew Too Much” and “The Man Who Would Be King,” for a series of paintings. One of his pieces is named “The Man Who Was Tired of Perpetual War,” referencing a character within his painting.
Solicit Suggestions. Engage in discussions with family, friends, or fellow artists to gather ideas for a suitable title. They may offer unique and inspiring suggestions that you hadn’t considered.
- Alternatively, host a “titling party” with fellow artists or friends. Showcase the artwork and invite attendees to propose titles. Some titling parties require all guests to participate until a title is chosen.
- Painter Jackson Pollock often numbered his paintings, like “Number 27, 1950,” while art critic Clement Greenberg bestowed poetic titles such as “Lavender Mist” or “Alchemy” to differentiate them.
Pay Tribute to Artistic Influences. If your artwork or style is heavily influenced by a specific piece of art or artist, consider naming your work in homage to them. Acknowledging your inspirations can yield compelling artwork titles.
- Andy Warhol produced a series of pop culture-infused paintings titled “The Last Supper,” inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.
Examine Titles of Other Artworks. Analyze how artists title their works and delve into the narratives behind those titles. Explore titles across various art forms, from classical paintings to contemporary sculptures and video art.
Refining Your Title
Explore Synonyms. Your title may center on a specific theme or subject, but you might seek alternative word choices. Consult a thesaurus to discover synonyms that convey the same meaning.
Infuse Descriptive Language. Incorporating descriptive terms can enrich your title, providing additional depth. Consider adjectives or adverbs that amplify the essence of your title.
- Georgia O'Keeffe titled a painting “Calla Lily Turned Away,” offering vivid description of the floral subject.
- Mary Cassatt named a painting “Mrs. Duffee Seated on a Striped Sofa, Reading,” elaborating on the primary subject to include more details.
Experiment with Word Arrangements. Rearrange chosen words to evaluate their cohesion. Altering word order can subtly shift meaning or enhance phonetic flow.
- Speak the words aloud to assess their harmony.
Opt for Straightforward Descriptions. Simplify the naming process by selecting a title that straightforwardly describes the artwork. Examples include “Wooden Table with Fruit Bowl,” “Red Ball,” or “Girl Swinging.”
- Emily Carr often titled paintings simply, such as “Breton Church” and “Big Raven.”
- Claude Monet’s 'Still Life: Apples and Grapes” depicts fruit arranged on a table.
Explore Translations. Certain words reflecting your artwork's theme may resonate more effectively in another language. Experiment with translating key terms into another language.
- Ensure accurate spelling in the target language, including any necessary accents or diacritics. Omitting these marks could drastically alter word meaning.
- Seek feedback from native speakers to avoid unintended implications.
Perfecting Your Title
Ensure Originality. When titling your artwork, aim to distinguish it from others. Sharing a title with another artwork, particularly a well-known one, can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, or lack of originality.
- Conduct an online search of your proposed title to assess its uniqueness.
Solicit Feedback. Titles can be subject to varying interpretations. Seeking initial reactions and feedback on your title helps gauge its reception and potential ambiguity.
- Consider whether your title could be misconstrued or interpreted differently by others.
Ensure Accuracy. Avoid unintentional errors in spelling or grammar in your title, as they may undermine your professionalism as an artist. Double-checking spelling and grammar is especially crucial for longer titles.
Strategize Your Title. Titling artworks not only adds meaning but also serves as a promotional tool for artists. Opt for distinctive titles rather than generic ones like “Untitled” to enhance recognition and potentially elevate the value of your artwork.
- For series of paintings, consider sequential naming (e.g., “Blue Fence #1,” “Blue Fence #2,” etc.), although distinct titles aid in individual work identification.
- Unique titles facilitate accurate referencing by reviewers, critics, and collectors, preventing confusion associated with generic titles like “Untitled.”
- Distinctive titles improve online visibility, aiding potential viewers in locating your work.
Ensure Title Alignment with Your Artwork. When sharing your artwork, ensure the title corresponds accurately. Write the title directly on the back of the artwork itself to maintain coherence.
- When showcasing your artwork online, ensure the title accompanies the piece, enhancing your online presence and accessibility.
Helpful Pointers
-
As the artist, you hold sole authority in determining the title of your artwork. You wield complete control over all aspects of your creation, including its title.
