What is Personal Voice?

Can You Hear Me?

Imagine if you could not speak to the world. Would they be able to tell anything about you from looking at you? We all have a personal voice within us. We can use art and photography to express that voice. Personal voice is defined as a mixture of style, message, and technique that is unique to a particular artist.

In this lesson, we’ll investigate personal voice further by listening to what other artists have to say on the subject of creativity and comparing and contrasting artworks to identify the personal voice of different artists.

Explore: What is Personal Voice?

Challenge: Which artwork shows a more personal voice and why?

Application: Compare and Contrast the work of two artists to identify personal voice.

That's My Style!

When discussing visual art, the style has a lot wrapped up in it. Style is broadly defined as what gives something a distinctive appearance. When thinking about jeans, this could be if they’re jeggings, skinny, straight, bootcut, flare, or wide-leg; what shade of denim they are: black, grey, acid washed, indigo, dark, light; if they’re distressed, worn, or pristine; and then each manufacturer and designer has their own unique spin – shape, and location of pockets, overall fit, the line of the pants, the rise, the length, zippers and buttons, logos, etc. Style is just as if not even more so complicated when considering art. Does it fit into a particular movement? Is it moody and dark, light-hearted, bright, emotional, provocative, traditional, and on, and on, and on? Style can really encompass everything: the materials used to create the artwork (medium), how those materials are used (technique), and what the artwork is saying (message).

The key to personal voice is that all of this is unique to you. Other artists may use the same medium but maybe not in the same way. Or perhaps you have a unique message/subject. Or you present that subject in a unique way. It could be that your technique is the most distinguishing factor. It all boils down to some part of your artwork that is unique to you. The exploration to find something unique is creativity at work.

Watch the two videos below. Each discusses creativity in a different way. Take notes on what can help you be more creative and find your own personal voice.

View the video: Creativity as a Life Skill

About the video:

“Gerard J. Puccio, Ph.D. Gerard is chair and professor of the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State, a unique academic department that offers the world's only Master of Science degree in Creativity and Change Leadership. Creativity as a Life Skill In the face of a fast-changing and increasingly more complex world, many argue that creativity and innovation are crucial 21st-century skills. Unfortunately, schools and organizations seem to be ill-equipped to promote this critical skill. Discover what you can do to reclaim and sustain this life skill.

The Art of Creativity

View the video: The Art of Creativity

About the video:

“Taika Waititi is a visual artist, actor, writer and director hailing from the Raukokore region of New Zealand. His short film Two Cars, One Night was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005. Taika's second and most recent feature, Boy, appeared at the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals earlier this year. He discusses how creativity has helped him to express his ideas and led him to where he is today.”

Which artwork shows more personal voice and why?

Be prepared to give justification for your selection.

Image Description

The module overview defined personal voice as a mixture of style, message, and technique that is unique to a particular artist.

IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE