Creativity is Intelligence having fun. Albert Einstein
The course provides thoughtful, meaningful and harmonious balance to academic pursuits by encouraging students to investigate and gain inspiration from the world around them. Through exploring and developing ideas and engaging with the creative process, students aim to locate their ideas within personal and international contexts. Through individual inquiries inspired by cultural art forms, students form their own viewpoint of personal expression.
From an introduction to new skills, techniques and processes, students begin a personal journey of self-discovery and are encouraged to comment visually on the world in which they live. The initial workshops embed skills and give greater confidence within drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, digital media, sculpture and mixed media. Over a period of time, students identify strengths and weaknesses to allow them to develop their own vision as an artist.
All students keep a sketchbook, which is essential to track their ideas, interests and influences. The key points are selected to create the Process Portfolio which becomes evidence of their sustained experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of art-making activities. At the end of the course, the resultant art works are hung to form an exhibition with an accompanying written rationale. During the entire process, students will have been inspired by and respond to art works, 3 of which are then considered in more detail to form the Comparative Study.