Section

GLOSSARY OF ART TERMS

Edited by Mark Quinlan

  1. A
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  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
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Key

Term used to describe the prevailing tone of a painting: a predominantly light painting, for example, is said to have a high key. Also used to describe in fresco painting, the slightly coarsely laid plaster used to provide a key or ‘lock’ for the final layer of intonaco on which the image is painted.

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Kitchen Sink Art

Term originally used as the title of an article by the critic David Sylvester in the December 1954 issue of the journal Encounter. The article discussed the work of the realist artists known as the Beaux Arts Quartet, John Bratby, Edward Middleditch, Derrick Greaves, and Jack Smith. Sylvester wrote that their work ‘takes us back [...]

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Kitsch

Kitsch is a term of German origin that has been used to categorise art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style. The term is also used more loosely in referring to any art that is pretentious or in bad taste, and also commercially produced items that are considered trite or crass.

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Knife Painting

In this technique, paint is applied to the canvas with knives (special ones for painting) instead of brushes. Two types are used, pointed ones and curved ones. Impressions are made on the paint with the knife to give it the distinct look. Usually the pointed knife is used, but for some situations, a curved one. [...]

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Kunsthalle

A German term for a public art space that mounts temporary exhibitions. In Germany they are often supported by the local Kunstverein, or art association. It has come to be used internationally as term for a publicly-funded art space, usually devoted to contemporary art.