The word for when an artist explicitly references another work of art?

S

Sam

New member
I am trying to find a term which suits this, I initially thought allusion, but it is not really appropriate to what I mean after some research (definitions of allusion refer to it more as a brief mention). I don't think I mean appropriation either.

The type of referencing I mean, is for example when an artist consciously paints using another artists unique style of painting. Or creates an original work that contains a particular pose, or setup from another painting. Or translates a work of art into their own style, or another medium. Not in a way that is fraudulent, or intending to deceive, or trying to hide the reference. Examples of what I mean would be Yinka Shonibare's work, referencing Fragonard's the swing. The Chapman brothers altering Goya prints (maybe). Work like that. Where the referencing is an integral part of the new works meaning.

Thanks in advance for any answers. :)
Thanks 'inclaireseyes' that has clarified it for me. it's the best answer for me. I have always thought of appropriation only really in the context that text mentions of being about ideas of authorship, etc. When what I was looking for, bit didn't really know still fell under the umbrella of appropriation, was when the point of the borrowing, is about engaging in a dialogue with the particular work borrowed from, and within the greater 'conversation' of art history. Thanks. :)
 
Its called appropriation

In the [(visual arts)], to appropriate something means adopting, borrowing, recycling or sampling aspects (or the entire form) of man made visual culture. The Oxford English Dictionary defines appropriation in relation to art as 'the practice or technique of reworking the images or styles contained in earlier works of art, esp. (in later use) in order to provoke critical re-evaluation of well-known pieces by presenting them in new contexts, or to challenge notions of individual creativity or authenticity in art.". The term appropriation refers to the use of borrowed elements in the creation of a new work (as in 'the artist uses appropriation') or refers to the new work itself (as in 'this is a piece of appropriation art'). The artist who uses appropriation may borrow image, sound, objects, forms or styles from art history or [(popular culture)] or other aspects of man made visual culture. Inherent in the process of appropriation is the fact that the new work recontextualizes whatever it borrows to create the new work. In most cases the original 'thing' remains accessible as the original, without change.
 
Back
Top