The conceptual framework provides a model for understanding the network of relationships between artist, artwork, world, and audience. These agencies can be understood both in isolation and in relation to one another, for example as artist-world or artwork-audience relationships. Using the frames to apply a particular perspective to these relationships enables a deeper understanding of practice.
Artists make artworks, either individually or in groups such as collaborations, collectives, and movements. Artists are sometimes referred to by the main artmaking practice they use, such as painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, and conceptual artists. Artist can also refer to other practitioners including designers, architects, filmmakers, and performance artists.
Artworks are made by artists and are exhibited or displayed to audiences, who interpret them. Artworks have a physical form that can include 2-dimensional works like drawings and paintings, 3-dimensional works like sculptures and installations, and 4-dimensional works that can include performances, time-based works, and interactive experiences. Artworks have conceptual meaning that reflects the artists’ ideas, choices and actions.
Audiences view and interpret artworks, usually through an exhibition, performance, or public display. Audiences can include other artists, visitors to galleries and museums, art critics and historians, art gallery directors and curators, art dealers and people why buy art, as well as students, educators, and the general public.
The world refers to the time and place where artworks are made or interpreted, and the background of the people that make and interpret them. The world can also refer to the artworld of galleries, museums, and other institutions. An artist’s experience of the world influences their ideas and the choices they make in their artmaking practice. Audiences’ understandings of the world influence the way they value and interpret artworks.