Visual arts / Year 7 and 8

Curriculum content descriptions

Experiment with visual arts conventions and techniques, including exploration of techniques used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to represent a theme, concept or idea in their artwork (ACAVAM118)

Elaborations
  • combining and adapting materials, techniques, technologies and art making processes, reflecting upon techniques used by artists including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists
  • investigating how different combinations of techniques can represent a theme, concept or idea, for example, applying paint with different tools to create different textures
  • Considering viewpoints – psychology: For example – Why and how does an artwork make you feel emotional? Can you apply a similar technique to your artwork?
  • observing how artists select and apply different visual arts techniques to represent themes, concepts and ideas and considering how they could use these in their own art making
  • combining, adapting and manipulating images and objects from several sources
  • Considering viewpoints – forms: For example – Why did the artist choose this style of representation? What other forms and styles suit this message?
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • Intercultural understanding Intercultural understanding
Cross-curriculum priorities
ScOT terms

Composition (Visual arts),  Aboriginal art,  Torres Strait Islander art,  Art materials

Interactive

SketchBook

This is a free application for the iPad that focuses on creating drawings and sketches using virtual professional-grade tools and brushes, and imaging techniques. It features a full-screen workspace and an 11-icon menu including pan and zoom navigation, a brush editor, colour wheels with HSB and RBG colour space, an eye-dropper ...

Online

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

This lesson plan (PDF) examines the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art contained within the National Gallery of Australia collection. Links to artworks are provided to support students' critical analysis of the forms of each work of art and to understand the rich diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ...

Image

Water

This is a PDF resource that focuses on the theme of water in Australian artworks, featuring 15 different artworks using various mediums. Each page includes an image, description and context of the artwork, and information about the artist, as well as specific focus questions or key statements that prompt a response to the ...

Video

Through our eyes: series 1

This series of 18 short videos provides insights into the land management practices and social, spiritual and cultural knowledge of the Ngemba, Kamilaroi and Euahlayi Aboriginal language groups in north-western NSW. The videos are presented by the Aboriginal Elders and knowledge-holders and cover a range of topics including ...

Image

Australian collection

This database features a selection of Australian artworks from QAGOMA. The searchable database provides artwork images, background information about the artist and the artwork, classroom activities, a glossary of key terms and curriculum alignment information for teachers. Search results can be refined by theme, period, ...

Text

Astronomical knowledge in art

In the Visual Arts Indigenous narratives are shared through symbols and with materials made from and of country. The artworks in this resource show how Aboriginal artists represent astronomical knowledge and stories in different ways. Take students through the work of two Indigenous artists, exploring the traditional techniques ...

Image

Indigenous Australian collection

This federated search from the QAGOMA database features a selection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks from the collection. The searchable database provides artwork images, background information about the artist and the artwork, a map of major Indigenous regions in Australia, classroom activities, a glossary ...

Interactive

Refugees welcome here

This resource embeds the use of online collaboration tools and 21st century learning skills in a student-centered hands-on project designed to welcome refugees into their community. The syllabus outcomes are aligned to NSW Stage 4 English, Geography or Visual Arts but this could be used with older or younger students by ...

Online

Creating an Indigenous plant-use garden: vision

Planning for an Indigenous plant-use garden is a good way to develop a connection with and respect for First Nations people's perspectives. Use this learning activity to explore exciting ideas, create goals and understand more about successful Indigenous plant-use garden projects. Outcomes of this learning activity are ...