Imagery and art Pathways to understanding …
Some common symbols … Symbolism in Everyday Life Our language contains an immense number of symbols whose intended meaning or significance is well-known and accepted by the majority. Of course, many of these do wind up in books, magazines, stories, and other written works. Symbolism is found in colours: Black is used to represent death or evil. White stands for life and purity. Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character. Purple is a royal colour. Yellow stands for violence or decay. Blue represents peacefulness and calm. Symbolic Objects Objects are often used to symbolize something else: A chain can symbolize the coming together of two things. A ladder can represent the relationship between heaven and earth or ascension. A mirror can denote the sun but when it is broken, it can represent an unhappy union or a separation. Flowers as Symbols Even flowers can have a symbolism: Roses stand for romance. Violets represent shyness. Lilies stand for beauty and temptation. Chrysanthemums represent perfection.
Imagery … in action What might the following represent: A clockA lionAn apple MoneyA crossA snake A globe (of the world) or mapA halo Dawn An eagleA spade
Brett Whitely – his front door …
John Brack – Collins St, 5 pm
Pieter Breugel – Landscape with fall of Icarus
Vermeer: the story of the painting …
Queen Elizabeth – The Armada Portrait George Gower
Dali - time
Cubism/Abstract Georges Braque – Violin & Candlestick
Robert Delaunay – Champ de Mars Fernand Leger – The City
How is imagery used in this?