Activities
Strategies and Signs
3.1 Think and discuss – art and understanding
Art can encourage people to rethink personal beliefs and positions.
Do you agree?
Discuss with reference to selected artworks by Gordon Bennett.
3.2 Research and investigate – the representation of space in different cultures
Research the representation of three dimensional space in selected artforms of several different cultures (ie. Egyptian painting or relief sculpture, Chinese scroll paintings, Aboriginal painting of the Western Desert.
What systems and/or conventions are used by each culture to represent three dimensional space?
How do these systems/conventions reflect values and ideas important to that culture?
Different members of the class could be assigned different cultural traditions to research and then prepare an illustrated presentation for the class.
3.3 Research and investigate – The chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
Read The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally (1972) or view the film version of the book directed by Fred Schepisi (1978).
What key themes and ideas are explored in the book/film?
What strategies have been used to communicate and explore these themes and ideas in the book/film?
How do the key themes/ideas and strategies in the book/film compare to those used by Gordon Bennett in early work such as Outsider?
3.4 Think and discuss – a focus on titles
The titles of Bennett’s artworks reflect the artist’s awareness of the power of words/language to suggest meaning. Examine a range of Bennett’s artworks and their titles and discuss how the titles might provide a useful starting point for analysing and interpreting the images.
3.5 Explore and respond – a focus on strategies and signs
Select an artwork by Bennett that interests you.
Use and extend the following table to identify and describe the different strategies or signs that Bennett uses in the artwork to suggest meaning/questions.
| Title of artwork
Date Medium |
|
| Signs or strategies | Meanings, ideas or questions |
3.6 Explore and respond – engaging the viewer
Throughout his career Bennett has used many different strategies to engage the viewer in his work. With reference to at least two artworks, identify and explain some of the strategies and techniques you believe Bennett has used to engage the viewer.
You might consider, scale, materials and techniques, perceptual effects.
3.7 Create and make – exploring binary opposites
Find out more about binary opposites and identify some binary opposites that you believe have had a significant influence on your understanding of the world.
Brainstorm ideas and meanings associated with these binary opposites and create a mindmap to show how they have influenced your perception and understanding of the world.
Create an artwork in a medium of your choice that highlights how the meanings, values and ideas associated with these binary opposites influence perception and understanding.
Aim to use a variety of strategies in your work to engage the viewer in the issues and questions you are interested in exploring in relation to these binary opposites.