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- Mary Duignan
Drawing on Art Practice
This research project was undertaken with 2nd Year students in Elphin Community College, Co. Roscommon. The aim of the unit was to introduce deliberate experimentation in drawing practice, with a view to promoting inquiry and discovery, taking the focus away from the finished artefact, opening up a new mode of thinking, doing and expressing. We looked at the work and methods of artists – Georg Baselitz and Alice Maher and considered the qualities of a selection of their artwork. These qualities were interpreted in small groups and written on the board as co-created success criteria. The criteria were referenced during our sessions to maintain focus and to avoid drawing conventionally. The energy throughout the classes was high tempo with students working in response to a given stimulus in a variety of drawing materials. We followed this period of active engagement with a brief check in, looking at and discussing the work made. Honest and thoughtful dialogue was encouraged, and it was insightful to hear the students discuss and justify the new methods which were sometimes at odds with their preconceived notions of art and drawing. This project is just the beginning of something and it brought up worthwhile questions in relation to who, how and why we are teaching art. It will continue to inform future directions for engaging students with art and making within the confines of the post–primary setting and curriculum and beyond.