The focus for this unit is commentaries. In this unit, students engage with the social and cultural purposes of art making to produce a unique and cohesive body of work. Broad and innovative inquiry includes the conceptualisation and documentation of experiences within contemporary society. Students transform ideas and develop concepts using innovative approaches to art making and presentation. They document their thinking and working practices, having the flexibility to work across media and art forms.

Students research artwork providing critical comment on the meaning, purpose and values communicated. They examine their own beliefs and consider how the visual arts have reflected and shaped society in different times and places.

Consideration is given to the roles of artists in different societies, for example, hero, outsider, commentator and social critic. Students investigate the social functions of art, for example political and ideological expression, satire, social description or graphic communication. They address the relationship between form, function and meaning and develop understandings of how artists are influenced by pervasive ideas, events and circumstances, and how re-contextualisation contributes to meanings and messages in artwork.

Teachers and students explore one or more of the following suggested contexts in this unit (this list is not exhaustive):

• concepts: social commentary, power and persuasion, freedom of speech, satire, narratives, ceremony and ritual

• styles and approaches: the Bauhaus, modernism, postmodernism and abstraction

• materials: new technologies, found objects, aerosol art, new technologies, oil paint

• meanings and messages: narratives, popular art as cultural commentary, stereotypes, wars, art in society,  propaganda

• purposes: propaganda and universal issues, such as globalisation.

Art Making

Inquiry 

• explore drawing involving observation to conceptualise ideas, explore themes & develop meaning in artwork 

• use a range of investigative approaches to explore, manipulate, develop and refine artwork 

• explore a variety of ways to produce, present and document a body of work

Visual language 

• use visual language (elements and principles of art) to transform artwork and communicate concepts in a considered and insightful way 

Visual influence 

• investigate the techniques and approaches used by other artists to inform the development of own artwork 

• select stylistic influences and use specific artwork relating influences to own artwork 

• examine ways other artists have communicated persuasive ideas, issues or comment in artwork 

Art forms, media and techniques 

• adapt and apply materials and techniques to create artwork in selected art forms 

• experiment and refine the use of media and techniques to produce innovative artwork 

Art practice 

• explore ways to use skills and processes to create new art forms and visual art practices 

• follow correct health and safety practices, respecting and acknowledging the work and rights of others 

• make informed and sensitive choices when developing and presenting artwork about different religious, cultural and social practices 

Presentation 

• plan, document & present an account of the thinking & working practices leading to the development of a body of work 

• discerningly select and exhibit a body of work 

Reflection 

• reflect on and maintain documentation of the development of thinking and working practices 

• provide an artist statement that describes the ideas, meaning, influences & personal direction taken in art-making 

• acknowledge primary and/or secondary visual influence(s)

Art Interpretation

Visual Analysis

• use critical analysis frameworks and investigations to make comment on artwork 

• analyse and respond to unfamiliar artwork representative of a range of art forms and styles 

• consider visual language (elements and principles of art) which influence production and response 

• make comparisons and connections between artwork using art terminology to discuss formal organisation 

  (composition), meaning and artistic style

Personal response 

• support and justify opinions by offering a range of interpretations of artwork 

• provide alternative points of view when responding to artwork 

Meaning and purpose 

• analyse social, religious, political and cultural commentary of artwork from different times and places 

• identify alternative perspectives and meanings communicated in artwork 

• identify formal, stylistic and technical elements which contribute to the function or meaning of artwork 

Social, cultural and historical contexts 

• in-depth examination & research of artists, groups, movements or cultures contextualising their practice within particular social, cultural or historical contexts 

• undertake investigations and present case studies making links between art practices from different times & places 

• compare artwork that has been shaped or influenced by specific social, cultural or historical concerns