The

Arts (Visual Art) Lesson Plan

What can I learn from Social Media that I cant learn from Sport or Art?

Designed by Paula Binnie for VU AEG5138 Inclusion and Diversity, Term 2, 2015

Date:

Week 2, Lesson 6

Year Level:

7

Lesson duration:

45 minutes*

Lesson name:

What is Identity?

An alternate setting art class where Indigenous Artist Christian Thompson comes to talk to the
class or wed visit him*.

Learning Outcome/s:
To further understand the decision-making processes of an Artist.

Aims:
To enable students to further understand how an Artist works, exploring their themes,
concepts and ideas what their processes are before they start making their work.
To enable students to explore, and investigate why the Artist uses particular mediums,
techniques and imagery in order to convey their message.
To enable students to have an open discussion with the Artist about his biography,
inspirations and what it means for him to be a practising Artist.


Higher order thinking Remembering, Understanding, Applying and Analysing

Links to the Victorian Curriculum:

Learning Areas: The Arts Visual Art

Strands: Explore and Express Ideas

Explore visual arts practices as inspiration to explore and develop themes, concepts or
ideas in artworks (VCAVAE033)
Explore how artists use materials, techniques, technologies and processes to realise their
intentions in art works (VCAVAE034)


Prerequisite Knowledge:
No prerequisite knowledge is required.

Location / Setting:
School Oval or Alternate outdoor setting*.

Key words:
Identity
Sexuality
Process
Exploration
Medium
Themes
Expression
Intention
Meaning
Application

Materials, Sources and Resources:
Art journal / writing materials students to bring.

3 x A1 (as appropriate) colour prints of specific, but varied artworks to be discussed by Artist
(Christian Thompson) these can be stuck to foam core and taped to a wooden stake or
tree so as to be portable for viewing outside / on oval etc.

1 x A1 (as appropriate) poster What is Identity at the top structured in such a way that
it remains visible and space to insert words when students suggest what identity is.

Texta

http://www.christianthompson.net/

https://www.acmi.net.au/exhibitions/dead-tongue/
Students encouraged to research the Artist beforehand, this information would have been
given to them in the previous class where they were looking at Sexual Health and Sexuality
illustrated via various Artworks, as well as having shown them some of the Artists work.

https://designschool.canva.com/color-theory/
Students will be discussing Christians use of colour and composition. I will refer the
students to look at the Canva website an online graphic design site for tips and ideas
when / if theyd like to produce their following project a portrait or work illustrating
identity. Given it will be a work of art, students will be able to choose what medium they
feel is appropriate to produce that work, but they must be able to support reasons behind
why theyve chosen each particular application or medium.

Materials, Sources and Resources: Cont.

Group Facebook page further notes / questions will be inserted as a follow up to lesson.
The Facebook page was created at the start of the unit as a way of utilising a social media.
Homework, notes or discussions would be posted online and responses would be posted online.
It is a closed group page.

Lesson 6 - Introduction:

Students gather in outdoor location and meet Artist Christian

Thompson.
Students are asked reflect back on previous lesson and have an open
discussion about their concept of Identity, notes are written on
poster for all to see.

Time Allocated
10 minutes

Engage (e5) Remembering

Lesson 6 Main Body:

Students listen to understand why an Artist works with particular

themes, mediums, techniques and what processes they go through
to produce the work they do.
Students are able to engage with the Artist to discuss cultural
symbolism, and how the Artist is able to express cultural identity in
order for the students to understand how they may be able to adapt
or represent their own identity.

Time Allocated
25 minutes

Engage and Explore (e5) Understanding Applying Analysing

Lesson 6 - Conclusion:

Students spend the last 5 minutes writing in their art journals about
what theyve learnt from their discussions with the Artist and what
their initial thoughts are for their own Identity artwork.
Their writing can be in whatever style they like point form,
sketches, listing relevant words/ideas/feelings.
Teacher may take the opportunity to ask students to say aloud a
single word that sums up or simply suggests an element of their own
identity something that will be followed up in the next lesson.

Time Allocated
10 minutes

Evaluate (e5) Understanding Analysing

Assessment of Student Learning:

Formative Assessment only, with students being observed for interaction and involvement.


Differentiation:

This lesson allows for different learning abilities listen skills, as well as making small notes at the
end of the class. Teacher will be note taking, observing and asking questions of students
throughout the class to ensure there is engagement in the activity.

*Please note:

This lesson was built around the fact that the Artist named is currently in Australia and produced a
work in response to Bowies music clip Lets Dance (1983) for the 2015 David Bowie Exhibition at
ACMI. The lesson assumed that Christian could visit our school, but it could have also been planned
out for the class (of a longer duration) to attend a public forum held at ACMI. Although unique in his
style, the lesson plan could be adapted to include another notable Indigenous artist that deals with
identity and sexuality.

Christian Thompson is a Melbourne-based contemporary Indigenous artist (Bidjara People),
recently returned from London. His works explore notions of identity, cultural hybridity and
history. Formally trained as a sculptor, Thompsons multidisciplinary practice engages
mediums such as photography, video, sculpture, performance and sound. His work focuses on
the exploration of identity, sexuality, gender, race and memory. In his live performances and
conceptual portraits he inhabits a range of personas achieved through handcrafted costumes
and carefully orchestrated poses and backdrops (ACMI, 2015).