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 developing an individual understanding of the stages of studio practice and learn how to explore, develop, refine, resolve and present artworks. Students explore sources of inspiration, research artistic influences, develop individual ideas and explore a range of materials and techniques related to specific art forms. Using documented evidence in a visual diary, students progressively refine and resolve their skills to communicate ideas in artworks.
Students also research and analyse the ways in which artists from different times and cultures have developed their studio practice to interpret and express ideas, source inspiration and apply materials and techniques in artworks.
The exhibition of artworks is integral to Unit 1 and students are encouraged to visit a variety of exhibition spaces throughout the unit, reflect on the different environments and examine how artworks are presented to an audience.
Area of Study 1: Researching and recording ideas
Area of Study 2: Studio practice
Area of Study 3: Interpreting art ideas and use of materials and techniques
In this unit students focus on establishing and using a studio practice to produce artworks. The studio practice includes the formulation and use of an individual approach to documenting sources of inspiration, and experimentation with selected materials and techniques relevant to specific art forms. Students explore and develop ideas and subject matter, create aesthetic qualities and record the development of the work in a visual diary as part of the studio process.
Through the study of art movements and styles, students begin to understand the use of other artists’ work in the making of new artworks. Students also develop skills in the visual analysis of artworks. Artworks made by artists from different times and cultures are analysed to understand developments in studio practice. Using a range of art periods, movements or styles, students develop a broader knowledge about the history of art. Analysis is used to understand the artists’ ideas and how they have created aesthetic qualities and subject matter. Comparisons of contemporary art with historical art styles and movements should be encouraged.
The exhibition of artworks is integral to Unit 2 and students are encouraged to visit a variety of exhibition spaces throughout the unit, reflect on the different environments and examine how artworks are presented to an audience.
Area of Study 1: Exploration of studio practice and development of artworks
Area of Study 2: Ideas and styles in artworks
All assessments at Units 1 and 2 are school-based. Procedures for assessment of levels of achievement in Units 1 and 2 are a matter for school decision.
Unit 1: For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes.
As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit. Suitable tasks for assessment may be selected from the following:
Outcomes 1 and 2
an outline of a proposed investigation of studio practice using visual language
a selection of exploratory work and a visual diary, showing sources of ideas and inspiration translated into visual form through the use of a variety of materials and techniques
a presentation of at least one finished artwork.
Outcome 3 At least one of:
an extended response
a short-answer responses
a presentation using digital technologies
an oral presentation.
Unit 2: For this unit students are required to demonstrate two outcomes.
As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit. A suitable task for assessment includes:
Outcome 1
undertaking an exploration proposal
undertaking studio process
producing at least one artwork.
Outcome 2
an extended response
short-answer responses
a presentation using digital technologies
an oral presentation.
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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.