How important is consistency in art?

Question

Maybe consistency is the wrong word...how important is a common thread or theme in works of art? Is it irrelevant to the quality of the work itself?

Answer 1

When you consider that every person will interpret the piece differently, it is irrelevant.

...and I did not find the question vague at all.  Good one, Mutterhals!

Answer 2

I like art.  I can look at abstract and may not see what the artist meant so it's just kind of there to me or I can imagine but it seems kind of like stealing or me just not getting it but I still am free to imagine.  Lol, off the subject, my husband and I were looking at trees at a greenhouse the other day, seemed like hybrids or something that came from another country and the wind sort of gave them their own personality yet they were ugly, too droopy for my taste except for in the wind.  Anyways, as the wind blew we laughed and noticed their charactor.  

I know that everyone has creativity but some have serious gifts and others bury it or let listen to other who say it's stupid.  For example:  One of my friends has a daughter who just point blank draws good pictures, she's a sketch artist.  None of this starting with stick figure or tracing and working forward she just has the talent and that is that.  I don't know how else to explain it and guess what I know her background...the old rocky road.  However, for some reason she has a gift and didn't ignore it.  Nah, her mom didn't see much of it but I'm telling you this gal could draw free hand.

Answer 3

If you're making a series, of course it's good to have some consistency. But artists can go in as many directions as they want.

Answer 4

I also find your question a little bit vague.

Well each artist develops what is called their own signature, which consists in his/her personal style. The theme can vary from work to work, this is what makes an artist interesting to watch again and again, as he/she approaches a new theme every time.

But the way you approach it can be through cycles, like variations of the same theme or just moving to an absolute different theme in your next work of art.

Artists also change style thorugh time, therefore in Art History and History of Performance Art, the work of many is divided into stylistic periods. As the style and content changes with time as the artist "grows".

From my own point of view the theme is not the most important part, but HOW do you approach that theme, and in which way you transmit the idea. Generaly in the HOW you transform the idea is where the genius lies.

Answer 5

Your question is a little vague. Are you asking whether an artist should develop a theme that is common to his or her entire body of work? Or are you talking more about art as a whole?

If it's the first, I think that when your art is consistent, that makes it more marketable and accessible. People like to know what to expect. If you're just doing art for yourself and not trying to make a living off of it, it's probably less important.

I think that most artists tend to develop a "style" despite themselves, though. I never realized how much all of my sculptures had in common until my stylistic and thematic tendencies were pointed out to me. I never hold myself back for the sake of consistency, but even so, certain things are just always there. It's just the way my brain works, I guess.

Answer 6

I've seen work where I've known who the artist is before I even get close to view the signature.    It definitely makes you more well known and marketable, but it is completely dependent on your point of view.  For many artists, expression is the first priority.  The answer rests with you.