The Academy Blog

Crits: Describing the Method and Philosophy of My Work

Posted on March 30, 2015


By Daniel Lopez (MFA 2016) 

One of the most important parts of my journey as an artist and sculptor at NYAA has been critique, or “crit” as we call it.

Critique Signup Sheet
Critiques can take place with a visiting artist or critic, a full time faculty member, or a third year fellow. This week I had crit with Guggenheim fellow Ed Smith. Smith worked with one of my primary influences, William Tucker, a modernist British sculptor and modern art scholar. This was the best critique I have had in my life. Ed Smith gave me great pointers and finishing techniques for my thesis idea, as well as for my maquette and sketchbook method.

This year I have had crits with visiting artists Anneliis Beadnell, Deborah Soloman, Richard Dupont, Steven Assael, Beth Cavener, and Audrey Flack. I have also had crit with most of the faculty, and the third year fellows. All of the crits have helped me to gain valuable insight into my own work.

Lopez’s studio


All NYAA students get excited to meet and receive feedback from experts in their fields. Wednesday is critique signup day, and every Wednesday at 12:30 a long line of students forms down the fourth floor hallway, as students gather and wait to put their names down for critique the following week.

On March 25thand April 1st, all first years students met with acclaimed visiting artist Eric Fischl for group critique. Group critiques allow us to voice our thoughts and critique one another in an academic approach.

Lopez with Richard Dupont


The greatest benefit I have gained from my experience with critiques is the ability to describe the method and philosophy of my work. Critiques are essential to an artist’s development, even if the artist may not fully agree with them. It is helpful to have a second set of eyes read our work, and is a treat to learn from esteemed artists and critics here at NYAA.

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See more of Lopez’s work on April 13th at the Tribeca Ball, where 100 Academy artists open their studios for a night of art, enchantment and a bit of magic. And be sure to save the date for MFA open studios on April 24th from 6-9pm. 

MONUMENTAL MARKS and EN LAS PERIFERIAS/IN THE PERIPHERIES: Student Curatorial Committee

Posted on March 23, 2015

by Daniela Izaguirre (MFA 2016) and Jessica Leo (MFA 2015)
This semester’s Student Curatorial show “Monumental Marks” and “En Las Periferias/In the Peripheries” were composed of two concepts united by the sensitive trace of artists and moments of quietude. It featured a large drawing exhibition and an exhibition based on human indifference and intimacy. 

“Monumental Marks,” located on the third floor, allowed its viewers to experience the various languages of mark and line within the drawing medium.  Hatched lines of graphite accompany the velvety texture of blended charcoal line the wall. The intention of “Monumental Marks” was to demonstrate the beauty of the mark, while presenting drawing as a viable art form in which to create finished works. Both traditional and contemporary this show celebrated the grandeur side of drawing. 
 
“En la Periferias/In the Peripheries” was deliberately located on the second and fourth floor of the New York Academy, framing the drawings, to suggest another kind of periphery, that of human indifference. The art in this exhibit took many unique forms ranging from a pensive foggy landscape to a tender broken portrait. For this exhibition we wanted to let the art works speak to the viewer.   The work served as theater plays, finding in them the “seed” of the script, and letting them tell us of the inner conflict of the character and the need of a softer gaze.  

The Student Curatorial Committee hoped this short exhibition delighted the Academy community and accompanied them on these last cold days before the warmth of Spring.