Capturing Nature

Pupils investigate how artists and designers from the 17th Century to the present day have used nature as an inspiration for their work.

Aims (Skills, Knowledge, Activity, result)

To discover how artists and designers have used nature as a starting point for the creation of their work.
To understand how and why a selection of artists and designers have responded to the theme of nature in their time.
To make drawings in the gallery in response to the artworks discussed which create links with other kinds of artwork seen
To use the ideas and drawings made in the gallery to make a composition and explore new ways of working such as wax trapping

What pupils are saying about the session

“I wish we could have stayed all day!”

“It was really good, I learned how to sew.”

Year 5 pupils, Cheetham CofE Community School

What happens in the session:

The session takes in a tour of the galleries viewing a range of works from 17th century still life and Victorian ceramics to contemporary sculpture that uses actual natural objects. We discuss the artworks in terms of their time (in relation to art history, society and technology) and make connections between each. The children make sketches in response to elements of the artworks using pastels, crayons and colouring pencils and use their drawings to develop their own work in the studio.

They experiment with a wax trapping technique, inspired by an exhibit in the gallery that uses a similar idea. The children then have the opportunity to begin working into their wax trapping in a variety of ways, perhaps with ink or thread, which could be developed further at school.

Preparation:

Discuss with the children the value of experiencing real artworks through a gallery visit rather than seeing reproductions. Collect images of art or objects that use the theme of nature, consider what style has been used and how popular natural forms are.

For more information including booking, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment, please go to plan your visit.

NC related themes

Art and Design

The session fulfils a range of objectives for Art and Design. The gallery tour allows the children to engage with and understand the roles and purpose of art, craft and design in a variety of genres, styles and traditions. The children will make drawings and artwork that will extend their range and ability with various styles and techniques. The session will develop the children’s abilities to critically evaluate the work of artists and apply their learning in the context of their own ideas, methods and approaches. Some of the artworks and activities relate particularly well to QCA Unit 3B ‘Investigating pattern’, and also Unit 5A ‘Objects and meanings’, a still life unit.

Literacy

During the gallery tour, discussion and interpretation of the artworks covers a range of literacy objectives, such as offering reasons and evidence for views and considering alternative opinions and developing and using specific vocabulary in different contexts.

ICT

The internet is a valuable research tool and the work of some of the artists or artworks could be followed up after the visit. The development of the children’s artwork during the session could be extended into ICT, for example QCA Unit 4b ‘Developing images using repeating patterns’ which uses scanned images to generate designs

Science

Work that focuses on the theme of nature would relate well to this session, for example QCA Unit 3b ‘Helping plants grow well’ works through the cultivation and importance of plants to us. Similarly there could be links made with QCA Unit 4b ‘Habitats’.