A Body of Work Defined

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A body of work is a collection of artwork that represents a cohesive concept, style or technique. Viewed as a body of work, these art works should build on each other to indicate a particular artistic focus and thematic development. A body of work can be comprised of visually disparate individual works if the artists provides a strong concept for the viewer to read.

When submitting a body of work to a show, consider whether or not your conceptual statement will be available to viewers and how different arrangements of the collection might alter meanings or perceptions. While it might not always be necessary to submit the maximum amount of images to a call, it is usually good practice as it will provide the jury with more context and insight into your practice. If your body of work is comprised of a variety of mediums, consider the installation requirements for each work, and the historical connotations of the various installation at your disposal. For example, placing a small sculpture on a white plinth references the museum, the artefact and elevates the importance of an object. If these connotations do not add to your overall concept, it would benefit the body of work to consider other options.