Visual Arts and Photography

In Creative and Performing Arts and Languages, it has certainly been a challenging few weeks as we once again find ourselves back in lockdown. All staff in CAPA/Languages are challenging students to continue their learning as well as engaging in creative activities in various formats. An overview of students learning this term:

Year 7 Visual artists had started the term exploring the techniques behind the Impressionist artists and were working toward completing their own contemporary Impressionist artwork. The students developed some very creative ideas and we will finish our painting when we return to School. Students are also exploring an Impressionist artist of their choice and creating a Youtube style video discussing many aspects of the artist they have chosen. It will be fantastic to see the finished products.

Year 8 students have explored a number of artmaking activities and are currently exploring Still Life, from a contemporary and personal perspective. Students will engage in the creative process developing the artwork from their own photographed still-life arrangement through to a painting and then a lino print. This artistic experience will evolve over many weeks. Year 8 are also engaged in learning about artists and other roles in the artwork and are producing an interview with an artist where students have scripted and edited their conversation based on collaborative research and development.

This term, Year 9 have started to develop a concept which will also be the basis of their artists profile in an online environment. This unit is to engage students in understanding that the internet and online media is a new platform for artists to demonstrate their work to the world. Students are creating artworks which are in 2D, 3D and 4D formats. Each student has explored the online presence of other artists and engaged in critical discussions about what works well and even better if. This unit of work provides students with a number of 21st Century skills which can translate to other subjects they are studying. It will be very exciting to view their web page designs and finished artworks.

Year 10 Visual artists are engaging in researching a variety of Italian artmovements from the traditions of Michangelo through to the Futurists and many other aspects of Italian artmaking practices. Students have also begun to experience Stage 6 style research and responses posing their own inquiry questions and responding based on their discussions and research of the selected artist. 

Year 11 began the term exploring contemporary artists, who challenges our perception of art and defining what art is. All students engaged in conversations about the artists that were explored and examined their works through research and discussion. Students  also created their own mini Body of Work developing ideas in their Visual Diary and experimenting with compositions. As we near the end of the term, Year 11 students have finalised their work and completed a series on Canvas quizzes to respond to unseen works and writing extended responses as a formative task. Students have also begun to plan their HSC Body of Work and are currently involved in developing  and exploring ideas.

Year 12 Visual Arts students are almost there, they have less than a week to go before their Major Body of Work is due in and I can not wait to see the finished products. Despite the set back of COVID-19 restrictions, the resilience of each of the Year 12 students is evident. The students have continued to develop and create their amazing body of work, with their creativity really shining through. They have found solutions to problems that have arisen and also are engaged in studying towards their final HSC examination next term. Each student has worked so hard to develop and create some really wonderful artworks, and each student should be congratulated on how each of them has approached their learning.

Photography students have been exploring food photography and planning a photography shoot.  A wide range of concepts have been explored. Students are working towards creating a unique series of photographs that show consideration of props, lighting and location. So far the results have been outstanding.