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Create artworks inspired by the art practice of Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens
Create artworks inspired by the art practice of Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens
Student visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales
Years 5 and 6 visual arts
What will I learn?
What will I learn?
Wiradjuri artist, Karla Dickens, creates collage-based works and installations using found objects, recycled materials and existing artworks. She often talks about ideas of race, gender and personal life experiences.
Inspired by the work of Karla Dickens, you are invited to collect, deconstruct and join everyday household materials to make your own collage-based works and installations.
You will:
explore the richness and diversity of Aboriginal art from New South Wales
reflect on personal experiences to create meaning in artworks
devise ways to join different materials when creating artworks.
Watch the video as Liam Keenan, programs assistant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the Art Gallery of NSW, introduces the program Home: Aboriginal art from NSW.
Home program: introduction
Duration: 00:29Before you begin
Before you begin
This class has 2 lessons.
You'll need artmaking materials, such as:
A3 cartridge paper, coloured paper and black paper
glue and scissors
lead pencils, coloured pencils or textas
found materials.
You'll learn lots of new things about Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, and you will also create some interesting collage-based artworks and installations.
There might be some activities where you'll need an adult's help.
About
About
Wiradjuri artist, Karla Dickens, was born in Sydney and now lives and works in Lismore, New South Wales.
This video introduces Karla’s artworks, Holy Mother 1 (2009) and Black Madonna VI (2009) from the Black Madonna series and A Dickensian Circus (2020) on display as part of NIRIN 2020, Biennale of Sydney.
Watch the video and answer the following questions by writing your answers down:
What is collage?
What is an installation?
What are found objects?
What are examples of materials that Karla Dickens uses to create artworks?
Home program: Karla Dickens
Duration: 02:47Where
Where
Use the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia to find which language group the places listed below are located:
Sydney
Lismore
Where you live
Art Gallery of New South Wales.
What are language groups?
What are language groups?
Indigenous nations and language groups cover wide geographical areas, and have distinct borders. Within these nations there can be multiple language groups, and sub-groups based on dialect, which are larger than a family but based on family links through a common ancestry. Each shares a common language and kinship system, which is based on either patrilineal or matrilineal lines of descent.
Lesson 1 – create a collage
Lesson 1 – create a collage
In this lesson, you will learn from artist, Karla Dickens, the inspirations and techniques she uses in her collage-inspired artworks.
You will also have the opportunity to create your own collage!
What is a collage?
A collage is an artwork made by gluing pieces of different materials to a flat surface. Examples of materials used include photos, newspaper, coloured and decorative paper, fabrics, ribbons, envelopes, stamps.
Holy Mother I
Karla Dickens 2009
Image Courtesy: Karla Dickens
Lesson 2 – create an installation
Lesson 2 – create an installation
In this lesson, you will learn from artist, Karla Dickens, the inspirations and techniques she uses when creating an installation.
You will also have the opportunity to create your own installation.
What is an installation?
Installation art is a form of visual art that is often created for a specific place. Installations can be made from any materials, are often large-scale and surround the viewer.
Installations often aim to change the way a space is seen. This is called perception.
They are often shown in galleries, museums and public spaces. Installations can be permanent or temporary additions to a space.
Installation view, 22nd Biennale of Sydney, NIRIN featuring a Dickensian Circus by Karla Dickens, Art Gallery of New South Wales
Image Courtesy: Karla Dickens
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
Holy Mother 1, © Karla Dickens, 2009, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Installation view, 22nd Biennale of Sydney, NIRIN featuring a Dickensian Circus by Karla Dickens, Art Gallery of New South Wales, © Karla Dickens, reproduced and communicated with permission.
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