Discover Melbourne through art

This activity involves observing, analysing, describing, researching and interpreting an artwork, then making a creative response to the artwork to share with others.

1. Select an artwork
   
   View the artworks and read the stories in the NGV Collection Story – Melbourne. Select the artwork that interests you the most in relation to the theme of Melbourne.
   • Record the details of the artwork (artist, title, date, media, size).
   • What initially caught your interest about this artwork?
2. Create a sketch
   
   Observe then record the main structure of the artwork in a quick drawing (15 minutes maximum). Focus on the overall structure or composition of the artwork, rather than small details. You may wish to annotate your drawing with words or notes to highlight important features.
3. Describe and analyse the artwork
   • What is the subject matter and how is it represented?
   • Which art elements (for example, colour, line, shape, tone, form and texture) and design principles (for example, focal point, space, rhythm, variety, unity, balance) are most important in the artwork and what visual effects do they create?
   • What materials and techniques are used to make the artwork? How are they used? List four steps you think the artist may have taken to make this artwork.
4. Research the artwork
   • Identify and note at least three information sources that help your understanding of this artwork. Starting points may include:
     NGV Collection Stories
     Books, exhibition catalogues or art journals from your school, or public library
     websites
   • List five interesting facts that you learned from your research and explain what each has added to your understanding of this work.
5. Interpret
   • Is this artwork based on the artist’s experience or observation of an aspect of Melbourne? Is this important? Explain.
   • What feelings, moods, ideas or meanings does the artist communicate to you about Melbourne in this the artwork?
   • What is it about the artwork that suggests these feelings, moods or ideas?
   • Suggest what might have inspired the artist to make this artwork.
6. View the original
   
   Visit the National Gallery of Victoria to view the original artwork (check first that it is currently on display). How is the artwork similar/different to how you imagined it from the reproduction?
7. A creative presentation
   
   Produce a short creative presentation about this artwork for your classmates (three minutes maximum). Your presentation should include at least five researched facts about the artwork. It should also aim to be lively and engaging. It may comprise or include:
   • A role play – for example the artist making the work, an art critic or tour guide explaining the work
   • An art review for the radio or the newspaper, or a poem or narrative, which might be presented dramatically as a reading
   • An art review or documentary-style presentation for TV or online media, which might be presented as a short video
   • A dance or musical performance or poem inspired by the artwork
   • A visual/audio presentation (for example, PowerPoint, VoiceThread), which includes relevant background information about the artist or artwork
   • A computer game or animation that brings the artwork ‘alive’

Comparative viewpoints

1. View the artworks and read the entries in the NGV Collection Story – Melbourne.
   • Identify two artworks that you believe make an interesting comparison in how they represent or respond to Melbourne. (for example, an historical and a contemporary view of Melbourne, representations of the same subject in different styles).
   • Record the details of each artwork (artist, title, date, media, size).
2. What ideas does each artwork communicate about Melbourne? How are these ideas communicated in each artwork?
3. Explain why you believe these artworks make an interesting comparison in how the artists represent or respond to Melbourne.