Ahhhh...the complicated theme question. What should I do? What is a theme and how should I follow it? Does IB even require a theme? All things related to themes can be added and discussed here.

Technically, IB does not require a "theme" but a cohesive body of work is a crucial aspect. Just as artist's in the real world create a body of art expressing their ideas, so to should the IB art student.

To create meaningful art, an artist needs to find a theme or a topic with which they have a strong personal link. This fits in with the IB criteria of relevance in which you create work that is meaningful and relevant to YOU. Where is the artist in the work? Think of a camera. Your theme is the lens through which you approach your work. It can, of course, change and evolve (indeed, it should!) and that change and evolution should be well documented in the IWB. So this idea of theme is not a rigid one but should flow from one into the next so that your work is connected. Your studio pieces should not be completely different ideas and therefore your work is disconnected.

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Links to help with idea generation

Themes in art

Art and Learning to think and feel

How do artists express identity?

Where and how do artists get ideas

How to think like Leonardo da Vinci (esp. look at Step #1-curiosita)

Art 21 Watch any of the artist on the art 21 series to learn about their ideas

Watch this voicethread of IB students at the International School of Beijing articulating their themes:


Creative exercises for artists