By Amellia Fowler

UW–Madison alumnus Keith Edwin Fox is the author of a new textbook, recently published by Cognella Academic Publishing.

As described by the publisher, “You Be the Art Critic: An Inclusive Approach to Art Appreciation in the Postmodern and Metamodern Eras” introduces students to the analytical tools and frameworks used in art criticism and appreciation. It emphasizes independent interpretation, encouraging students to analyze, research, and explain their responses to visual images in both digital and traditional contexts. 

Through 12 chapters, the book covers a range of topics including recognizing basic content, applying sequential steps in criticism, exploring formalism, perceiving how design principles have been applied to the component parts of artworks, and more.

The book also addresses representation, iconography, issues of bias, and broader cultural themes in visual culture. Research questions, discussions, and art projects in each chapter are designed to support active learning.

Fox graduated from UW–Madison in 1993 where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the School of Education’s Art Department. He is now a professor of art history at the Community College of Rhode Island, where he has resided since 2005.

Learn more about “You Be the Art Critic: An Inclusive Approach to Art Appreciation in the Postmodern and Metamodern Eras.”