Summary of Unit of Work:

This unit of work focuses on the art of printmaking with the cross-curriculum links to other areas. Using insects as their subjects, students explore the origins of printmaking, experiment with different forms of relief printmaking, investigate the cultural significance of insects in artworks and eventually create their own print. The unit has 16 lessons, along with a rubric and Powerpoint.

Australian Curriculum Links:

Year 7 & 8 Visual Arts

• 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)
• Develop ways to enhance their intentions as artists through exploration of how artists use materials, techniques, technologies and processes (ACAVAM119)
• Develop planning skills for art-making by exploring techniques and processes used by different artists (ACAVAM120)
• Practise techniques and processes to enhance representation of ideas in their art-making (ACAVAM121)

Unit Overview:

Society and artists have long been fascinated with the insect world. Insects are vital to our ecosystem and have been associated with various religious and cultural significance from antiquity. Depictions of insects abound in art, literature and dance from early renaissance. Albrecht Durer was the forerunner of the Romantic period in appreciation of nature, in particular insects as subject matter in their own right; his water colour and print studies of entomology are the catalyst for the 18 century fascination with botanical illustration. Students will study the ecological and religious significance of insects throughout art history. They will examine the origins of printmaking in the ancient world and evaluate contemporary woodcut and linoprints. Students will make decisions about design and composition based on their experimentation with printmaking to express meaning. They will present artworks and reflect on the artistic process.

Assessment Ideas:

• Powerpoint and oral presentation as formative assessment
• Summative Essay
• Assessment tasks
• Visual Process Diary
• Oral Presentation
• Rubric
• Class Exam

Resources:

Download all of the unit-related resources below:

• Visual Art Printmaking Unit – Insectology for Years 6789 (DOCX)
• Eco Artists and Composition – PowerPoint (PPTX)
• Insectology Unit – Lesson Plan Storyboard (DOCX)

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