AREA OF STUDY 3 | Professional art practices and styles
This area of study focuses on professional art practices in relation to particular art form/s and the development of styles in artworks. Students investigate the ways in which artists have interpreted subject matter, influences, cultural contexts, and communicated ideas and meaning in making artworks.
The use of materials, techniques, processes and working methods of artists to make artworks, and the ways in which artists have developed aesthetic qualities and styles in artworks are also considered.
Students identify and review the issues, legal obligations and ethical considerations that may arise from the use of other artists’ work in the making of new artwork, including a familiarity with appropriation and originality, copyright law, licensing agreements and the moral rights of artists.
In this area of study, students develop an understanding of the selected art form/s in more than one historical and/or cultural context/s; for example, students may study artists and artworks in an art form made in different historical periods, or students may study artists and artworks in an art form in different cultural contexts, which may have been made during the same time period. Research is undertaken of and appropriate art language and terminology applied to professional art practice and artmaking. Students are expected to study at least two artists.
Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss art practices in relation to particular artworks of at least two artists and analyse ways in which artists develop their styles. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 3.
Key knowledge
This knowledge includes:
• The legal obligations and ethical considerations involved in the use of the work of other artists in the making of new artwork, including a familiarity with appropriation and originality, copyright law, licensing agreements and the moral rights of artists.
• Art practices related to particular artworks or art form/s in more than one historical and/or cultural context/s.
• Analysis of how artworks reflect the artists’ interpretations of subject matter, influences, cultural contexts and communication of ideas and meaning;
• Examples of artworks from different historical and/or cultural contexts;
• Materials, techniques and processes used in the production of artworks;
• Aesthetic qualities and styles of artworks.
Key skills
These skills include the ability to:
• Analyse and discuss the legal obligations and ethical considerations involved in the use made of the work of other artists in the making of new artwork;
• Discuss ways in which artworks reflect artists’ interpretations of subject matter, influences, cultural contexts and communication of ideas and meanings;
• Analyse and discuss ways in which artists employ materials, techniques and processes;
• Analyse the ways in which aesthetic qualities and styles are developed;
• Discuss artistic practices and ways in which artists develop aesthetic qualities and styles in their artwork with reference to art elements such as line, colour, texture, tone, form, shape, movement, sound and light;
• Research and discuss art practices in relation to particular artworks or art form/s, and the ways in which artists develop styles in their artwork.
Outcome 3
Discuss art practices in relation to particular artworks of at least two artists and analyse ways in which artists develop their styles.
Typical forms of evidence may include a combination of the following:
• a collection of annotated research materials
• responses to structured questions
• an annotated visual report
• an essay
• an oral presentation.