Visual Art Grade 11
In grade 11 I still focus mainly on different techniques, but towards the latter part of grade 11, concept starts to play a major role.
Grade 11
Term 1
During term 1 we focus on Printmaking: Etching. Learners receive a brief that is made up of two sections, the preparation (Visual diary) and the final work. During this time period, I do my own etchings with them to show them how it should be approached. It is always fascinating that learners think that the first few lines they do will result in the correct tonal value. Few learners have the stamina to print a few times during their etching process. I do drypoint etching on plexiglass as it takes away the dangers of working with dangerous chemicals. I find that some learners love etching whilst other loathe it. Inking the plate and cleaning it is far to laborious for some, yet it teaches them some discipline.
This is one of my own drypoint etchings I did whilst my learners did theirs.
Term 2
I do not profess to be good at sculpture, but I feel that learners need to be exposed to it.
This helps them to get a better reality on 3D objects and how they can incorporate it into later installation works.
The brief that I give them challenges them to incorporate different styles, ie. realism, abstracted or surrealistic. They also need to work in two different materials and mediums within the sculpture project. As in all projects, there are learners who excell in this and others who just hate it.
The theme I give them for this project is "Human Emotions in a world of Dreams" This theme allows them to get in contact with themselves and also the weird and wacky world of dreams.
This is a sculpture done by one of my learners. The top left picture shows a hollow clay head that was fired in a kiln. It is both realistic and dreamlike, a head screaming under water.
The image of the sculpture above was done out of copper wire. It was placed in a bath of Silver Nitrite sollution, which made the silver crystals grow onto the copper wires. He took various photographs of this process. These photographs were exhibited around the base of his table with the copper wire sculpture. I just love how this learner combined Science and Art together. The picture on the left is the remnants of the copper wires.
The sculpture on the right is a cast hand and paper sculpture. The head is made out of rice paper with woodglue and is paper thin. A light is placed in the back of the head to illuminate it. The learner place chemicals inside of the palm of the hand and these were set alight, creating something that looked like a mini valcano.
Term 3
This term is used for unconventional mediums/media in art. I do this to challenge learners to look beyond the normal art mediums that they have been exposed to.
This becomes a wonderful time of discovery and research.
The top left image is done in coffee and newspaper. The artwork on the left is done with nails and cotton thread. The artwork above is a papercut work.
Term 4
This term is used for the learners 24 hour practical examination that is done over 5 days. A full portfolio needs to be presented prior to the practical exam.
