Reading Response: The Unstrung Bow Article Reviews Example

Should drawing be academic or not – this is the question that the article entitled, “The Unstrung Bow.” By academic, the author means that the students of art – drawing, in particular – be taught how to technically draw like the famous Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc. Non-academic drawing, on the other hand pertains to the unguided manner of drawing, wherein the artist is free to express him or herself through his or her artwork, using the methods that he either invented or have acquired. The article presented no stand on these two opposing arguments, but simply presented these two sides, which, I think, is the weakness of the article.
It is in my opinion that art is a form of language. It is a medium of communication and it can be used in various ways. Using this definition for art, I would therefore agree with the argument that drawing should be non-academic in nature. Language is evolving and so does art, therefore. There are new ideas that arise that can no longer be expressed by the old language or by the academic manner of drawing. Nevertheless, I should point out that it does not mean that when the non-academic manner of drawing is favored then the teaching of the academic style must be eradicated. This is a free world, all artists must be given the chance to decide what style should he or she wants. There have been successful artists on both styles, so I do not see why one style should be favored over the other. In my opinion, there should art schools that teach the academic and non-academic styles. To some, David Hockney’s argument that it is through the academic style of drawing that diversity in ways of drawing could arise, may apply, but to some it may not.
Also, there are many factors that govern the choice of artists in deciding which style to pursue. I think the article failed to consider in the discussion, that there are social as well as economic factors involved in making such decisions. Religious, which is sub set of social factors, for example could play important role whether to use human figures (just like Michelangelo did) in drawing wherein the academic style will be very useful. Some religions do not allow such art forms (those that show human figures), hence the artists must be versatile for abstraction wherein the non-academic style can be of great use. Economic factor is also important; if an artist is to make a living out of his or her drawings then he must consider what the prospective buyers want. This means, drawing is no longer just a means of expressing one’s self, but it becomes economic merchandise.
In conclusion, the art of drawing is a way of communicating our thoughts and ideas, and we are supposed to be fully free with these. Hence, it is only expedient that a person be given the right to choose whether he or she wants the non-academic or academic style of drawing. As for me, I want the non-academic. To enforce one style and eliminate the other, seem to be very inhumane to me. I am pro-freedom, especially in the field of art; hence, I will go for more choices. The two styles should be taught at arts schools so that each art student will be able to freely choose which one to take.