Head of Visual Arts: Mrs R. Els

rels@edgemeadhigh.org.za

What is Visual Arts?

Visual Arts involves the hand, the eye, the intellect and the imagination.

The subject Visual Arts is about self-expression and offers learners a way to engage meaningfully with their world. It provides opportunities to stimulate and develop learners’ intellect, engaging their creative imagination through visual and tactile experiences and the innovative use of materials in realising their ideas.

The subject consists of a practical as well as a theory component:

• Practical:  Learners have the opportunity to conceptualise and create two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks. Throughout the course learners will be introduced to practical disciplines ranging from drawing and painting to sculpture techniques using a variety of media. In Grade 12 learners are encouraged to choose one practical discipline for specialisation, with the aim of producing a body of work for an exhibition at the end of the year.

Visual Culture Studies:

For the theory aspect of the subject the focus is on the study of visual culture of the past and present.  Visual Arts is presented as a continuous chronological course over the three years.

The main themes for Grade 10 are Pre-Literate Cultures, Ancient Civilisations, The Classical World, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque. In Grade 11 the focus is on the birth of Modernism in the late Nineteenth Century, the art produced during Twentieth Century and the development of New Media and Conceptual Art. All the topics for Grade 12 relate to the work of South African artists ranging from the late Twentieth Century to artists currently producing new work.

Who should choose Visual Arts?

Visual Arts is a subject that will enrich any learner and encourage lateral thinking. Taking Visual Arts will be advantageous for a learner who wishes to apply for further studies in any creative field, including Architecture, Animation, Fashion or Jewellery Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Photography and Web Design.