Research and Critical Analysis

Key competencies Thinking, Using language symbols and texts
Curriculum strands Visual Art: Understanding the arts in context, communicating and interpreting
NCEA Visual art: Level 1: Research artworks from Māori and European traditions. Level 2: research information, methods and ideas in the context of a drawing study. Level 3: Research and analyse approaches within established practice.
Art History: Level 2: Discuss artworks. Examine subjects and themes in art. Examine techniques used in art. Examine an art movement. Research an art history topic. Examine artworks and their environmental contexts. Level 3: Analyse Style in art. Examine media and process in art. Examine a theory and its role in art. Investigate an art issue. Examine the context of an art movement.
Achievement objectives Visual art

Level 6: investigate and analyse the relationship between the production of artworks and the contexts within which they are made, viewed and valued. Consider and reflect on the contexts underlying artwork. Identify and analyse processes and procedures from established practice that influence ways of communicating meaning. Investigate analyse and evaluate ideas and interpret artists intentions in artworks.

Level 7: Research and analyse the influences and contexts on the characteristics and production of artworks. Research and analyse how artworks are constructed and presented to communicate meanings. Use critical analysis to interpret and respond to artworks.

Level 8: Use research and analysis to investigate contexts, meanings, intentions, and technological influences related to the making and valuing of artworks. Research and analyse selected approaches and theories related to visual arts practice. Critically reflect on respond to, and evaluate artworks.

Programme Content Students will:

  • Engage in an introduction to the exhibition – including contextual information, information about the artist, political, social, cultural aspects to the context it was made in, and the contexts it is being and has been viewed in.

Activities may involve:

  • Discussing and critically reflecting on, responding to, interpreting and evaluating artworks.
  • Analysing and critically examining exhibitions, artistic practices and processes, and the decisions curators make about the work with any implications for the ways in which the exhibition communicates meanings and intentions.
  • Discussing the visual art theories which inform the artwork, and the artwork’s wider contexts.
  • Participating in group activities which are designed to enable students to research and critically analyse the different roles of artist, critic, curator, educator, audience.