Borrowed Imagery: Understanding Appropriation in Art

Join us for a 30-minute workshop exploring how artists borrow, remix, and reinvent existing images. We’ll look at visually similar works side by side and engage in conversation about where inspiration ends and appropriation begins—touching on ideas of appropriation, plagiarism, and derivation.

Attendees will learn how to: 

1. Differentiate among the concepts of artistic inspiration, appropriation, plagiarism, and derivation in the context of visual art.

2. Analyze pairs of visually similar artworks to identify specific ways artists borrow, remix, or reinvent existing images.

3. Articulate informed questions and positions about the ethical and creative boundaries between inspiration and appropriation in contemporary artistic practice.

Audience: All members of the Yale community are welcome to attend.

Registration: Registration required. You will receive a reminder email 1-hour before the event with the link to the Zoom room. If you register less than 1-hour before the event starts, email tess.colwell@yale.edu for the Zoom link.

Interested in a different workshop? Visit the library's workshop calendar. If you have a specific question or if workshop dates do not work with your schedule, reach out to your Personal Librarian or Subject Specialist Librarian for help.

Workshop Incentive Program: Any student who attends at least 3 library workshops this semester will be eligible to receive a FREE Yale Library tote bag. Learn more.