Stage 2 Visual Arts

The broad area of Art encompasses both artistic and crafting methods and outcomes. The processes of creation in both art and craft include the initiation and development of ideas, research, analysis and exploration, experimentation with media and technique and resolution and production of practical work.

Visual Arts engages students in conceptual, practical, analytical and contextual aspects of creative human endeavour. It emphasises visual thinking and investigation and the ability to develop ideas and concepts, refine technical skills and produce imaginative solutions.

An integral part of Visual Arts is the documentation of visual thinking. Students learn to communicate personal ideas, beliefs, values, thoughts, feelings, concepts and opinions, provide observations of their lived or imagined experiences and represent these in visual form.

Through the initiation and development of ideas, problem- solving, experimentation and investigation in a diversity of media, processes and techniques, students demonstrate a range of technical skills and aesthetic qualities.

By analysing other practitioners’ works of art or design, students gain knowledge and understanding of their styles, concepts, content, forms and conventions and learn to respond to these works in informed ways. A range of approaches to the interpretation of works of art or design from different cultures and contexts are used to explore the messages and meanings that these works communicate.

Of particular interest in this subject are past and present influences that impact on the visual arts: local and global events, social and political values, different perspectives provided by the diversity of cultural groups and the styles, aesthetic values, and philosophies of individuals and groups of practitioners of particular times and places.

Content

Visual thinking for the practical. Folio

The folio documents the student’s visual learning and supports their resolved visual artwork. Each student undertakes:

A series of introductory exercises to develop idea generation on the topic of their choice. Experimentation and problem- solving is encouraged.

Research and analysis of paintings from various artists is encouraged to deconstruct their art works and study aesthetic qualities.

The student works towards a final resolved practical, a suite or individual artwork by brainstorming ideas, drawing and experimenting with colour, technique and composition.

40, A3 pages in total for a 20 credit subject (or equivalent) of visual and written and/or oral evidence to support one practical work.

Practical

Stage 2 requirements ask for 2 complete practical pieces for a 20 credit subject

Students may work in the medium and style of their choice which is supported by the FOLIO they have produced.

A Practitioner’s Statement – The student completes an accompanying comment on influences, methods of communicating and expression; included is a focused and coherent evaluation of their work. Size and number of pieces is negotiated with teacher.

A written Practitioner’s Statement of a maximum of 500 words for one resolved practical.

Visual study

Students must complete a study comprising of 20 A3 pages and a total of 2000 words on an area of the Visual Arts of their interest.

They research and analyse the artwork of artists, styles, techniques and influences. In this task the student uses appropriate terminologies and language.

Assessment

School-based Assessment (70%)

Assessment Type 1:

Folio (40%)

Assessment Type 2:

Practical (30%)

External Assessment (30%)

Assessment Type 3:

Visual Study (30%)