Understanding and Investigating Art

by Rod Taylor

This text is designed to help teachers interpret the National Curriculum Orders for Art, providing a series of examples using artists' work to inform students. It draws together the two attainment targets for art and shows how closely they are connected. Using the concept of universal themes, the author examines a range of artist's work from the National Gallery and other works from the British Museum and local environments. He shows how these themes can be used to structure study and inspire students' creativity. Each theme is explored by asking about the content, form, process and mood. Students are encouraged to ask searching questions about the pictures they see and to build their critical skills together with their practical ability.

"...incisive commentary on the treasures of London's National Gallery... There should be no surprise if students report that other teachers and parents have borrowed this attractive book." -- Welsh History Review, vol 19 19991204 The book is full of sumptuous full-colour paintings and artefacts, grouped into several themes - the human figure, environment , flora and fauna, events, the fantastic and strange, and abstract. There are background notes as well as questions to prompt students to sutdy and understand what they are looking at. Aimed at Key Stage 4 students, the book helps interpret the new National Curriculum orders for art. -- Education Review, 1999 NEW REVIEW NEW REVIEW

The human figure;environments; flora and fauna; events; the fantastic and strange; the abstract.