Arts & Culture for the IB Student

Connecting with Cultural Contexts for Deeper Artistic Understanding

In the IB Visual Arts program, understanding the cultural context of artworks is essential, not just for the Connections Study, but also for shaping a well-informed artist project. When you're analyzing global artists and developing your own voice, exploring diverse traditions helps you see how art reflects identity, belief, and place.

As an international visual arts educator and researcher in multicultural education,

I created this section to guide you through how to study and why it matters.

Why Cultural Context Is a Must in IB Visual Arts

When you study an artwork, you need to take a good look at shapes, colors, and composition. But this is not enough for a deep analysis. You should also ask:

What world did this artwork come from?

What beliefs, symbols, or traditions influenced it?

What was the artist reacting to, embracing, or transforming?

This is your bridge between aesthetics and meaning.

Cultural Context in the Connections Study

The Connections Study asks you to analyze and compare artworks, and to identify connections between artists, which include:

The cultural, historical, and political environment in which the artists worked

Techniques, materials, or symbols rooted in specific traditions

Personal or collective narratives, rituals, or religious meanings

💡 Tip:
Don’t just compare form: explore deeper issues like diaspora, identity, colonialism, spirituality, or modern reinterpretations of heritage.

How to Research Cultural Contexts Effectively

Here are some research paths and examples inspired by my travels and studio lessons: