Studio Arts aims to encourage an independent, practical and creative approach to problem-solving in response to practical based themes which are initiated largely by the students. Students develop skills using a broad range of textile fibres, materials and techniques as a means of expressing ideas in the visual form and are largely given free choice of which mediums they wish to work with. They are encouraged to appreciate the History of Textiles through the study of fashion designers, and art/craft makers from different cultural backgrounds and eras. Skills are developed through critical thinking in relation both to the student’s own work and the work of other artists. This involves the analysis and interpretation of garments and accessories constructed in a variety of cultural and historical settings. The course prepares students for Tertiary entry into courses in such areas as Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Interior Design, and many other art or design related courses which involve creative, practical problem-solving and lateral critical thinking.
In this unit students focus 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.
For this study, the exploration proposal supports the student to identify a direction for their studio process. The student determines the studio process. This process records trialling, experimenting, analysing and evaluating the extent to which art practices successfully communicate ideas presented in the exploration proposal. From this process students progressively develop and identify a range of potential directions. Students will select some of these potential directions from which to develop at least two artworks in Unit 4.
The study of artists and their work practices and processes may provide inspiration for students’ own approaches to art making. Students investigate and analyse the response of artists to a wide range of source material and examine their use of materials and techniques. They explore professional art practices of artists from different historical and cultural contexts in relation to particular artworks and art forms.
The exhibition of artworks is integral to Unit 3 and students are expected to visit a variety of exhibitions throughout the unit, reflect on the different environments where artworks are exhibited and examine how artworks are presented to an audience. Students are expected to visit at least two different exhibitions and study specific artworks displayed in these exhibitions during their current year of study.
Area of Study 1 – Exploration Proposal
Area of Study 2 – Studio Process
Area of Study 3 - Artists and Studio Practices
In this unit students focus on the planning, production and evaluation required to develop, refine and present artworks that link cohesively according to the ideas resolved in Unit 3. To support the creation of artworks, students present visual and written evaluation that explains why they selected a range of potential directions from Unit 3 to produce at least two finished artworks in Unit 4. The development of these artworks should reflect refinement and skillful application of materials and techniques, and the resolution of ideas and aesthetic qualities discussed in the exploration proposal in Unit 3. Once the artworks have been made, students provide an evaluation about the cohesive relationship between the artworks.
This unit also investigates aspects of artists’ involvement in the art industry, focusing on a least two different exhibitions, that the student has visited in the current year of study with reference to specific artworks in those exhibitions. Students investigate the methods and considerations of the artist and/or curator involved in the preparation, presentation and conservation of artworks displayed in exhibitions in at least two different galleries or exhibitions. Students examine a range of environments for the presentation of artworks including public galleries and museums, commercial and private galleries, university art galleries, artist-run spaces, alternative art spaces and online gallery spaces.
Area of Study 1 – Production and Presentation of Artworks
Area of Study 2 – Evaluation
Area of Study 3 – Art Industry Contexts
Unit 3, Outcome 1 and 2 (School Assessed Task – practical component) 30%
Unit 3, Outcome 3 (School Assessed Coursework – theoretical component) 5%
Unit 4, Outcome 1 and 2 (School Assessed Task – practical component) 30%
Unit 4, Outcome 3 (School Assessed Coursework – theoretical component) 5%
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.