Critical thinking and the KZNSA Gallery educational resources

Critical thinking - especially in a gallery context - is very important in the Grade 12 Visual Art curriculum. Approximately HALF the Theory paper requires you - the learner - to look at previously unseen work and critically think (and write) about it. There are unseen works in each of the questions you will answer.
The more you practise, the better you will get!

The ArtTeam has chosen four works for you to practise on. Each work has its own post which you can use to research, using a critical thinking technique - 'infographic construction'. These infographics can then be used to answer the 'own choice' part of the paper, AND you will have had practise in thinking critically!

Wesley van Eeden
'Secret Country'

Doung Anwar Jahangeer
'Stepping into Freedom'

Pascale Chandler
'Wounded tread of gentle souls'

Sifiso kaMkame
'Letters of Home'

How to make an infographic ....

Example : Pascale Chandler

'Wounded tread of gentle souls'

Step 1: Create THREE chunks by actually cutting up paper OR work digitally.

Step 2: Decide on the content for each chunk. Ask your teacher if you are unsure. Some chunks are always the same. Pencil (or key in) these as chunk headings.

........... Graphic chunk .... paste the picture here. Add the artist's name, the name of the artwork the date and the medium.  (Refer to its relevant theme as well) This will always be the same.

........... Intention of the artist .... read the relevant post and look at the links ESPECIALLY the interview with the artist. Write about 6 sentences into this chunk.

.......... Analysis chunk .... here we look at the elements and principles of Art & Design and figure out how they construct the meaning of the painting. Write about twice as much in this chunk.

Look at this example of an infographic .....

This can then be written as an essay for an exam, and the infographic will help you revise. This example only has (about) 20 sentences.

Schools workshop 30 April 2014

Sifiso ka Mkame shows some learners how to tackle social issues visually using his unique technique. 

Post-democratic identity in South Africa (including issues of language, ethnicity, globalisation, urbanisation in the new South Africa)

The new 'LEGU' theme in the Grade 12 NCS curriculum for Visual Arts is now Theme 6 ...
Post-democratic identity in South Africa (including issues of Language, Ethnicity, Globalisation, Urbanisation in the new South Africa) 

This exhibition - 20 Years: 20 Artists - has many examples of these issues of language, ethnicity, globalisation and urbanisation. Have a look at the colour coding on the artworks to find some excellent examples.