
If you’re at home struggling to fend off boredom, you’re not alone. Students just like you are sitting around wondering what to do, and how to get creative and engaged with something while you’re stuck at home. And even in non-quarantine times, these 11 Youtube art documentaries are great launching pads to get you back into art and creative practice.
Maybe you just need that push back into whatever gets you motivated. Whatever kind of artist you might be, you’re guaranteed to find some art documentaries that you’ll enjoy in the playlist below. Or, watch them all!
I can vouch, they’re all pretty amazing and make me want to get off my butt and get back to creating.
Artist Hebru Brantley Wants to Inspire You With Hopes and Heroes in “On the Edge”
In one of Complex’s great short art documentaries, Chicago native Hebru Brantley talks influences, Bob Ross, and superheroes. You might’ve seen Brantley’s bright and larger-than-life work on the side of a building around the city, on some Nikes, or in a Chance the Rapper music video. His iconic Flyboy and Flygirl characters are symbols of hope, play, and endurance, and are international reminders of Chicago’s thriving culture.
Discover the King of Street Art: Keith Haring
This mini-doc about iconic NYC artist Keith Haring packs tons of information into four minutes. Haring’s cartoon men, dogs, and hearts are ubiquitous today. You’ve almost certainly seen them somewhere, but maybe didn’t know the source. Haring’s life and method is inspirational to young artists who are just starting out. Before reaching his meteoric heights, Haring was making simple chalk drawings on NYC subway billboards. Art can exist and thrive anywhere.
Yayoi Kusama- Obsessed with Polka Dots
Yayoi Kusama’s story is the forgotten history of Pop Art. In America we often think only of giants like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. But, Kusama was just as important and influential in the development of this movement. She is chronically underrepresented when discussing Pop Art, and many have never heard of her or seen her art. This video is a great jumping off point for getting familiar with this enigmatic artist. Her polka dots, infinity mirrors, and bold patterns are her calling cards. After watching this video, you too will be obsessed with polka dots!
Georges Seurat’s Sunday on La Grande Jatte
This video from the Art Institute’s Youtube channel explores one of the museum’s most famous pieces. Sunday on La Grande Jatte is known internationally as an example of pointillism. How cool is it that you can just pop on over to the Art Institute and see it for yourself? When it reopens of course!
Art + Life Rules from a Nun
Sister Corita Kent is undeniably a one-of-a-kind artist. A nun who used bright and innovative printmaking to present messages of love and guidance, Kent was an exciting component of American Pop Art. This video from the Art Assignment presents her rules for art (and honestly life in general). Her poetic and thoughtful maxims for art and those who practice it are essential for young artists.
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