Abstract Art

For calendar art this year, we looked at abstract art, particularly the work of Wassily Kandinsky.

We discussed how abstract art uses lines and shapes rather than attempting to imitate realistic images. As Lilah noted "These pictures can look like lots of things. Other pictures just look like one thing." This blue piece was very popular with the students as they could see railway tracks, a monster face and the international space station.

We also talked about how Wassily Kandinsky had synasthesia. This is where the stimulation of one sense can affect another sense. In Kandinky's case he saw music as different colours. 

Then we experimented with listening to different pieces of music as we painted random shapes and patterns.

Some children found the type of music affected what they painted or made painting more enjoyable. Others didn't like listening to music as they painted. (They were surprised when I said I didn't like listening to music during creative activities like art or writing). 

Then it was time to work on our calendar art. Children were given the choice of creating a tree design inspired by Kandinsky's Concentric Circles.

The alternative option was to create their own abstract piece using line, shape and colour. Surprisingly (for me) this was the most popular choice.

We ended up with some stunning original designs.

And it was a chance for some students who don't normally consider themselves good at art to shine with their choice of shape and colour.

We also had several workshops on blending colour. One Mrs DeVilliers took on blending chalk pastels and I took some workshops on blending oil pastels.

Some students chose to use these blending techniques in their Calendar Art which added another level of challenge