Lessons Two to Fifteen
(Option D): Individuality

The notion of conformity and individuality has been explored in the other three strands of this module. In order to explore this topic in visual art, students could begin with an examination of an artist from their own community whose work reflects an individual style or viewpoint.

•continue to develop an understanding of how visual artists acquire and transform ideas

View the video entitled Antoinette, listed in the Arts Education bibliography. Saskatchewan artist Antoinette Herivel considers herself to be a storyteller; her art works have a narrative thread running through them. Her paintings include childhood memories, dreams, fantasies and observations of characters and community life. She portrays events such as weddings, community dances and auctions; places such as pool halls, beaches and holiday spots; and other observations of farm, rural and city life.

Herivel comments in the video that people often take everyday experiences for granted, such as eating, shopping, going to the beach or walking in the park. She remarks that she draws many of her ideas from her everyday experiences. Although these observations and her art works are personal, they also become universal. Discuss the meaning of this last remark with students.

Herivel collects images, photographs and sketches that she can incorporate into her current and future work. Have students keep visual journals in which they store clippings, photographs, notes and other images of personal interest that will help them with their ideas now and in the future.

•continue to demonstrate understanding of ways in which the elements of art, principles of design, manipulation of visual images and media affect expression and meaning

Herivel includes techniques such as exaggeration and distortion of shapes and perspective in her paintings. Have the students create a drawing or painting which is based on an everyday observation and incorporates the use of exaggeration and distortion.

In some of her paintings, Herivel focuses on the role of women in families and the community. Discuss Debby Potter's work "Community Social", which appears in Arts Education: Visual Art Resource for grades 9 and 10. Compare this work with Francis Robson's photograph of women gathered in the church kitchen, which appears in Ideas and Inspiration: Contemporary Canadian Art.

•examine, analyse and interpret the work of visual artists within the work's cultural and historical context

What are these female artists observing about prairie culture and the roles of women in community life? Compare these works with representations by other artists who are commenting on identity and varied roles of women in society.

•continue to develop an understanding of how visual artists acquire and transform ideas

Herivel also remarks that she gets many of her ideas for image making from other art works that she admires. She says that Botticelli's "Three Graces" inspired her painting of the three girls in the laundromat. She used a similar composition for her painting. She also says that artists such as Cezanne and Matisse have influenced her work. Study the work and lives of these well-known artists and make connections with Herivel's paintings. What features of their work can be observed in Herivel's work?

Examine reproductions of "Cher Vincent" and "Monet's Cow" by Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard. A slide of "Cher Vincent" (Dear Vincent) is contained in Arts Education: Visual Art Resource for Grades 9 and 10, and a slide of "Monet's Cow" is contained in Ideas and Inspiration: Contemporary Canadian Art.

The majority of Fafard's works portray mammals or humans. The background material in the slide binder states that he sees man and animal as equal, bound together by a contract for survival in a universe where they live symbiotically.

•examine, analyse and interpret the work of visual artists within the work's cultural and historical context

Study the work and life of the artist Claude Monet and identify characteristics of Monet's work that are evident in "Monet's Cow" .

Study the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh and look for characteristics of Van Gogh's work that are evident in "Cher Vincent". In this portrait, Fafard honours a great artist of the 19th century. The influence of Van Gogh's work is evidenced in Fafard's treatment of the canvas boots, the chair, the painter's palette and Van Gogh's face.

Teachers and students wishing to pursue the study of Van Gogh's work in more depth may consult the Arts Education bibliography for resources and ordering information. Such resources include three 30-minute video programs on the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. Program One is Vincent: Painter of Peasant Scenes. Program Two is Vincent: Painter of Light in Paris. Program Three is Vincent: Sun Painter in France. An accompanying Teacher's Guide may be obtained from Saskatchewan's Learning Resources Distribution Centre. The guide contains program summaries, discussion and analysis questions, and related art-making activities.

•examine the relationships between their own ideas and those of other artists

Have students create a work of art with an art historical reference. There are many excellent ideas in the resource Getting Into Art History by Canadian art educator Annie Smith.

•continue to challenge themselves to take risks, solve problems and learn new ways of working

Annie Smith's book includes the following ideas:

• paint your self-portrait as if you were __________ (choose a well-known artist)
• recreate a renowned work of art from a different perspective from the original
• modernize an old master
• translate an old master into a still life or an abstract work
• paint what happened before or after the event being represented in a historic painting
• recreate a historic work of art by photographing fellow students in tableaux, wearing costumes and representing the characters and objects in the original art work.