Unit 1: Interpreting artworks and exploring the Creative Practice

In Unit 1 students use Experiential learning in Making and Responding to explore ideas using the Creative Practice. As the artist and audience, students consider their connection to artworks, and how their communication of ideas and presentation of artworks challenge, shape and influence viewer or audience perspectives. This course allows for students to explore a range of artmaking practices including, analogue and digital photography, painting, drawing and illustration, collage, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fibre and wearable art, video and sound or combinations presented as mixed media-based installation linked to their individual themes.

Areas of study

Artists, artworks and audiences

• In this area of study students are introduced to the Structural and the Personal Lenses by researching and analysing three artists, their practices and their artworks. They analyse one artwork by each artist and interpret meanings and messages using the Structural and Personal Lenses.

The Creative Practice

• In this area of study students are introduced to the Creative Practice through Experiential learning activities guided by the teacher. Students explore at least three art forms.

Documenting and Reflecting on the Creative Practice

• Students develop their art practice by responding to the ways artists conceptualise, develop and make their artworks. They provide annotated documentation of their experiences in Making and Responding in a form appropriate to their art practice.

Assessment Outcomes:

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the practices of three artists, and apply the Structural Lens and the Personal Lens to analyse and interpret one artwork by each artist. Suitable tasks may include:
  • an extended written response
  • short-answer responses supported by visual references
  • an annotated visual report
  • a presentation using digital technologies such as an online presentation or interactive website
  • an oral presentation

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to use the Creative Practice to develop and make visual responses informed by their exploration of personal interests and ideas.
  • Students produce a range of personal visual responses to a selection of set tasks, showing the exploration of ideas, materials and techniques in at least three art forms. Finished artworks are not an expectation of this outcome but can be considered in the student’s use of the Creative Practice.

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to document and evaluate the components of the Creative Practice used to make personal visual responses.
  • Students document their use of the Creative Practice, including annotated personal visual responses to a selection of set tasks.
  • Where teachers allow students to choose between tasks, they must ensure that the tasks they set are of comparable scope and demand.

Link to VCAA Study Design: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/art/2023ArtCreativePracticeSD.docx

Unit 2: Studio Exploration and Concepts

This unit focuses on establishing and using a design process to produce artworks. The design process includes the use of sources of inspiration, experimentation with materials and techniques, and the development of aesthetic qualities and potential solutions prior to the production of artworks. Students also develop skills in the visual analysis of artworks. Artworks from different times and locations are analysed to understand artists’ ideas and the creation of aesthetic qualities and identifiable styles.

Areas of study

• Exploration of studio practice and development of artworks
• Ideas and styles in artworks

There are two outcomes:

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to develop an individual exploration proposal to form the basis of a studio process, and from this produce and document a variety of potential directions in a visual diary for at least one artwork.

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare a range of historical and contemporary art periods, styles or movements, and analyse the ways in which artists communicate ideas, develop styles and demonstrate aesthetic qualities in artworks.

Unit 3: Studio Practices and Processes

This unit focuses on the implementation of an individual studio process leading to the production of a range of potential directions. Students develop and use an exploration proposal to define an area of creative exploration. They plan and apply a studio process to explore and develop their individual ideas. Analysis of these explorations and the development of the potential directions is an intrinsic part of the studio process to support the making of finished artworks in Unit 4.

Areas of study

• Exploration proposal
• Studio process
• Artist and studio practise

There are three outcomes:

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to prepare an exploration proposal that formulates the content and parameters of an individual studio process including a plan of how the proposal will be undertaken.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to progressively present an individual studio process recorded in written and visual form that produces a range of potential directions, and reflects the concepts and ideas documented in the exploration proposal and work plan.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to examine the practice of at least two artists, with reference to two artworks by each artist, referencing the different historical and cultural context of each artwork.

Unit 4: Studio Practice and Art Industry Contexts

In Unit 1 students use Experiential learning in Making and Responding to explore ideas using the Creative Practice. As the artist and audience, students consider their connection to artworks, and how their communication of ideas and presentation of artworks challenge, shape and influence viewer or audience perspectives. This course allows for students to explore a range of artmaking practices including, analogue and digital photography, painting, drawing and illustration, collage, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fibre and wearable art, video and sound or combinations presentated as mixed media-based installation linked to their individual themes.

Areas of study

Assessment Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to present at least two finished artworks based on selected and evaluated potential directions developed through the studio process, which demonstrate refinement and application of materials and techniques, and that realise and communicate the student’s ideas expressed in the exploration proposal.

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to provide visual and written documentation that identifies and evaluates the extent to which the artworks reflect the selected potential directions, and effectively demonstrates a cohesive relationship between the works.

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to compare the methods used by artists and considerations of curators in the preparation, presentation, conservation and promotion of specific artworks in at least two different exhibitions.