Lessons in Art History

Collaborative Art History Gridding Investigations, Studio Art 11/12, SKSS

The Great Wave, by Hokusai (original colour woodblock, 1829)

The Old Guitarist, by Pablo Picasso, 1904, oil painting
Collaborative Gridding Acrylic Painting, SKSS

SKSS Art Students assemble the finished work!

Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with a former SKSS art student who is currently studying design.  As an art educator I am always interested in art and design university studies; however, our conversation quickly turned from the content of university assignments to the importance of art history. Evidently, this vibrant alumnus argued a personal passion for why young students need to study and investigate aspects of art history. 

 

Painting Inspired Sculpture, grade 10-12

Dali, The Melting Clock                                     Edvard Munch                                                       Edvard Munch, Madonna

Art teachers have always looked to the masters for inspiration in the field of art education.  Further, keeping art history exciting and meaningful to current students tends to be the challenge or we risk the classroom quickly turning into an ‘art in the dark’ slideshow lecture.  In this sense, my brief conversation questioning the need for more art history lessons personally inspired and influenced our art making process and artistic investigation this year at South Kam. Specifically, we learned more about symbols in visual language and aspects of gathering clues through images to reveal what was important to people from the past.

In fact, I encourage you to join Ellen, my former student, online sharing her passions for art history through her growingly popular Instagram feed: @arthistorylesson.  Thank so much for the lesson, Ellen!

Personal Images Inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, 

Drawing & Painting 11/12

Plaster Frescos, Grade 9/10 

Investigating Portraits, Studio Art 11/12