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VCE Art Making and Exhibiting (Year 11) · Unit 1 — Explore, Expand and Investigate · 11m read

Investigating Artists — How They Use Materials and Present Their Work

Researching artists shows you new possibilities. Unit 1 asks you to investigate how artists use materials and how their work is presented.

Learning objective: Investigate how artists use materials, techniques and processes and how their artworks are displayed.

By the end of this lesson you can:

  • I can research an artist’s working methods.
  • I can analyse how materials affect meaning.
  • I can apply what I learn to my own practice.

Learning from master chefs. Cooks study great chefs to learn techniques and then make their own dishes. Artists study other artists the same way.

Investigating an artist

QUESTIONS TO ASK
• What materials, techniques and processes does the artist use?
• How do these affect the look and meaning of the work?
• What ideas or themes does the artist explore?
• How and where is the work displayed (gallery, public space, online)?

SOURCES: gallery websites, exhibition catalogues, artist interviews and statements, documentaries, visits to galleries.

APPLYING: test one of the artist’s techniques, then adapt it to your own idea — never copy the work.

Worked example (Medium)

A sculptor uses rusted steel outdoors. Investigate the link between material and meaning.

  1. Material. Weathering steel develops a rust layer over time.
  2. Meaning. Change over time links to themes of age, landscape and impermanence.
  3. Display. Placed outdoors so weather continues to change it.

Answer: The changing rusted surface and outdoor display reinforce themes of time and impermanence.

Common mistakes

  • Copying biography from websites Investigation should focus on practice and materials. Fix: Focus on how the artist works.
  • Copying the artist’s images That is not developing your own practice. Fix: Adapt techniques to your own ideas.

Practice questions

  1. The most useful source for an artist’s intentions is often:

    1. A random blog
    2. The artist’s own statement or interview
    3. A social media comment
    4. A price list

    (1 marks)

  2. Explain how an artist you have studied uses one material to communicate meaning.

    (3 marks)

Summary

  • Investigate materials, techniques, ideas and display.
  • Use reliable sources.
  • Link material to meaning.
  • Adapt, do not copy.

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