Functions of Visual Art

1. Ceremonial function refers

to forms of visual art meant
to celebrate or acknowledge
an event or era, or to
contribute to a ritualistic
activity, such as a dance
celebrating one of the
seasons or a people’s flight
from captivity or hunger.

The Manmanok dance dramatizes how rooster attract a hen by dancers

flapping blankets
Source: youtube.com

1. Artistic expression has

something to do with visual
art as a medium for an artist
to express his or her
emotions or feelings
regarding a particular
subject, including his or
herself, like Picasso’s
painting on the left. Art as an
artistic expression functions
primarily as the artist’s way
of expressing himself/herself
without focusing on how it
will affect the audience. Two Girls Reading (Deux Enfants Lisant) by Pablo Picasso shows his
fascination of women engaged in everyday activities.
Source: quod.lib.umich.ed

2. Narrative function refers to

the use of visual art to tell a
story or relate the history of
one’s people. Aside from film
and TV productions, objects
are also used to convey a
story like the quilt on the left.

Quilts may reflect the stories about the period in which they were made
and about the people who made them.
Source: wonderopolis.org
Functions of Visual Art
3. Functional purpose refers to
how art has both aesthetic and
useful value. In addition, art
with a functional purpose
refers to structures or art
pieces that are actually used
in day-to-day activities yet
are designed to be
aesthetically pleasing in
addition to being functional.
Architecture is the most
prominent of the visual arts to Inspired by the architect’s desire to integrate human-made structures
incorporate functionality in into the natural world, Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright
typifies organic architecture.
designs. Source: architecturaldigest

1. Persuasive function deals on how

artworks are meant to make an
audience believe a message; to
convince an audience. Advertising
for television, billboards, magazine,
and other visual media is a form of
persuasive art, in that images are
selected and manipulated to convey
a message or subliminally influence
a consumer’s decision. Songs
together with film and TV
productions can be used to raise
awareness on a social issue.
“We Can Do It” by Artist J. Howard Miller was produced to
encourage women to take wartime jobs in defense industries.
Source: americanhistory.si.edu