VCE Art Making and Exhibiting introduces students to the methods used to make artworks and how artworks are presented and exhibited.
Students use inquiry learning to explore, develop and refine the use of materials, techniques and processes and to develop their knowledge and understanding of the ways artworks are made. They learn how art elements and art principles are used to create aesthetic qualities in artworks and how ideas are communicated through the use of visual language. Their knowledge and skills evolve through the experience of making and presenting their own artworks and through the viewing and analysis of artworks by other artists.
Visiting and viewing exhibitions and displays of artwork is a necessary part of this study. It helps students understand how artworks are displayed and exhibitions are curated. It also has an influence on the students’ own practice, and encourages them to broaden and develop their own ideas and thinking around their own art making.
A strong focus on the way we respond to artworks in galleries, museums, other exhibition spaces and site-specific spaces is integral to study and research in VCE Art Making and Exhibiting. The way institutions design exhibitions and present artworks, and also how they conserve and promote exhibitions, are key aspects of the study.
explore the characteristics and properties of materials, techniques and processes
understand the use and application of materials in relation to the historical development of art forms, across different periods of time and cultures
develop an understanding of aesthetic qualities in artworks and how they are used in art making
learn how to work independently and collaboratively
develop an understanding of the sources that inform and influence art making
investigate the practices of artists from different periods of time and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and their use of materials, techniques and processes, and how these contribute to the making of their artworks
understand how artists use visual language to communicate ideas and meaning in artworks
understand how exhibitions are planned and produced by galleries, museums, other exhibition spaces and site-specific spaces and how artworks are curated and displayed for audiences
understand the methods used and considerations involved in the preparation, presentation and conservation of artworks.
Unit 1: Explore, expand and investigate
Unit 2: Understand, develop and resolve
Unit 3: Collect, extend and connect
Unit 4: Consolidate, present and conserve
In this unit students are actively engaged in art making using materials, techniques and processes. They explore contexts, subject matter and ideas to develop artworks in imaginative and creative ways. They also investigate how artists use visual language to represent ideas and meaning in artworks. The materials, techniques and processes of the art form the students work with are fundamental to the artworks they make.
Students use their Visual Arts journal to record their art making. They record their research of artists, artworks and collected ideas and also document the iterative and interrelated aspects of art making to connect the inspirations and influences they have researched. The Visual Arts journal demonstrates the students’ exploration of contexts, ideas and subject matter and their understanding of visual language. They also document their exploration of and experimentation with materials, techniques and processes. From the ideas documented in their Visual Arts journal, students plan and develop artworks. These artworks may be made at any stage during this unit, reflecting the students’ own ideas and their developing style.
In order to receive constructive feedback on the progress of their art making, and to develop and extend their ideas, students present a critique of their artworks to their peer group. Students show a selection of their developmental work and artworks from their Visual Arts journal in their presentation. After the critique students evaluate their work and revise, refine and resolve their artworks.
Students will visit an exhibition in either a gallery, museum, other exhibition space or site-specific space. They must visit or view a minimum of two exhibitions during the current year of study. Exhibitions studied must be from different art spaces, to give students an understanding of the breadth of artwork in current exhibitions and to provide a source of inspiration and influence for the artworks they make. The exhibitions can be selected from the recommended list of exhibitions in the VCE Art Making and Exhibiting Exhibitions List, which is published annually on the VCAA website. Students must select one exhibition space for study in Unit 3 and a different exhibition space for study in Unit 4. Students research the exhibition of artworks in these exhibition spaces and the role a curator has in planning and writing information about an exhibition.
Area of Study 1: Collect – inspirations, influences and images
On completion of this unit the student should be able to collect information from artists and artworks in specific art forms to develop subject matter and ideas in their own art making.
Area of Study 2: Extend – make, critique and reflect
On completion of this unit the student should be able to make artworks in specific art forms, prepare and present a critique, and reflect on feedback.
Area of Study 3: Connect – curate, design and propose
On completion of this unit the student should be able to research and plan an exhibition of the artworks of three artists.
In Unit 4 students make connections to the artworks they have made in Unit 3, consolidating and extending their ideas and art making to further refine and resolve artworks in -specific art forms. The progressive resolution of these artworks is documented in the student’s Visual Arts journal, demonstrating their developing technical skills in a specific art form as well as their refinement and resolution of subject matter, ideas, visual language, aesthetic qualities and style. Students also reflect on their selected finished artworks and evaluate the materials, techniques and processes used to make them.
The Visual Arts journal in Unit 4 includes:
the continued development of the student’s own art making in a specific art form
evaluation of art making in a specific art form
the visual documentation of the processes used for finalising artworks
annotations to support visual documentation
research into the connections between specific artists and artworks and the student’s own artworks
research about the presentation of artworks in exhibitions
research undertaken for conservation and care of artworks
research about the selection of artworks for display and the planning of exhibitions
written and visual research to make connections with specific artists and artwork.
The progress of individual student artworks is an important element of Unit 4, and throughout the unit students demonstrate their ability to communicate to others about their artworks. They articulate the development of subject matter, ideas, visual language, their choice of materials, their understanding of the inherent characteristics and properties of the material, their use of techniques and processes, and aesthetic qualities. Acting on their critique from Unit 3, students further develop their ideas and broaden their thinking to make new artworks.
Students organise the presentation of their finished artworks. They make decisions on how their artworks will be displayed, the lighting they may use, and any other considerations they may need to present their artworks. Students also present a critique of their artworks and receive and reflect on feedback.
Students continue to engage with galleries, museums, other exhibition spaces and site-specific spaces and examine a variety of exhibitions. They review the methods used and considerations involved in the presentation, conservation and care of artworks, including the conservation and care of their own artworks. Students must visit or view a minimum of two exhibitions during the current year of study. Exhibitions studied must be from different art spaces, to give students an understanding of the breadth of artwork in current exhibitions and to provide a source of inspiration and influence for the artworks they make. Students must select one exhibition space for study in Unit 3 and a different exhibition space for study in Unit 4. The exhibitions can be selected from the recommended list of exhibitions in the VCE Art Making and Exhibiting Exhibitions List, which is published annually on the VCAA website. Students document the investigation and review of artworks and exhibitions in their Visual Arts journal.
Area of Study 1: Consolidate – refine and resolve
On completion of this unit the student should be able to refine and resolve at least one finished artwork in a specific art form and document the materials, techniques and processes used in art making.
Area of Study 2: Present – plan and critique
On completion of this unit the student should be able to plan and display at least one finished artwork in a specific art form, and present a critique.
Area of Study 3: Conserve – present and care
On completion of this unit the student should understand the presentation, conservation and care of artworks, including the conservation and care of their own artworks.
School Assessed Coursework (SAC):
School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 will contribute 5 per cent to the study score.
School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 will contribute 5 per cent to the study score.
School Assessed Task (SAT):
School-assessed Task (Unit 3 Outcome 1, Unit 3 Outcome 2, Unit 4 Outcome 1 and Unit 4 Outcome 2 ) contributes 60 per cent to the study score.
End of year Exam 30%
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Please see booklist for items required.
Material Charges
Students may incur additional costs based on the choice of materials to be used in their individual projects.