In art class, the day projects are due is stressful. It’s the day we walk into the classroom, hang our art on the wall, and circle up to comment on the work. The intention behind art critique is to get better. To see things we’d missed because we were too close to the process. This is hard, it is especially hard with peers. Yet, I haven’t met anyone who didn’t want this, or had a positive experience with it.
Making room for candid conversation with the intention of improving is uncomfortable. Despite wanting this kind of feedback it takes incredible vulnerability to get here.
A good art critique is not something we jump into. It’s a process. We have to warm up and get used to the water and everyones comments. Get used to looking at the our personal work next to those who are obviously more skilled. It’s this transition into the critique that makes it or breaks it. As someone who has facilitated a few art critiques, brain trusts, post mortems, come to Jesus (whatever you want to call them) there is one key factor that consistently makes the transition work.
A willingness to vulnerable.
Showing vulnerability at the beginning puts people at ease. Breaking the ice in a way that allows the candid conversation to be candid. Any real critique must be based in honesty.