Macandrew Intermediate

Years 7–8

Symbols

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Context

This unit is based on the work of artist Richard Killeen, and his use of symbols to tell stories. Each student in the school created a symbol from a given object, which was then displayed as a component of a large wall installation. The idea of individuals creating their own artworks and then bringing them together with other works to then be regarded as one work, was a theme for the year.

Learning sequence

The students looked at the silhouette works of Richard Killeen. They learned about symbols, how they are developed and how they can be used in art works to convey ideas. Each student was given a plastic animal which they had to stylise into a symbol, which could then be hung from a pin.

Every student in the school created a symbol and was then allowed to choose exactly where to hang their work within the larger work, in the school's student gallery. They were very excited to discover that the symbols could rotate on the pins that held them, making the whole wall look like the inside workings of a clock. They loved playing with the interactive display.

After discussion, they decided that because their artwork was not static, they had moved one step on from the works of Richard Killeen. A video of the combined symbols hanging on the wall was played in the gallery alongside the work.

Curriculum strands and objectives

For curriculum strand relationships and student learning objectives go to Curriculum strands and objectives.