The Unwritten Rules of Art

January 21 – March 15, 2025

Philosopher Sherri Irvin argues that although contemporary art may seem lawless and chaotic, it can be understood in terms of rules that stipulate how art should be displayed, preserved, and interacted with. These rules, usually established by the artist, help shape a work’s experience and meaning. But as The Unwritten Rules of Art reveals, they can be tricky to pin down. This exhibition, created for Prof. Rik Hine’s aesthetics class at Washburn University, invites you to consider the boundaries of the rules that govern each object.

Stella Waitzkin, Untitled, mid to late 20th century, polyester resin. Permanent collection of the Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University.