Thinking Visually

Open your eyes, follow the artist's gaze and engage your senses to explore ways of seeing, feeling and understanding.

Aims

to develop students critical thinking skills and visual language
to use paintings, sculptures and objects to explore genres such as still life, portraiture and landscapes
to encourage students to look at artworks first, then research, then form their own interpretations
to give the opportunity to question and offer responses to artworks
to develop aesthetic understanding and engagement with art

What teacher's are saying about the session

“The best thing about today was the students were involved directly with artwork. Drawing from artwork, talking about artwork and discovering different ways of thinking in response to seeing artwork.”

Teacher, King David High School

What students are saying about the session

“When I leave I am going to finish my research, remember to ask questions – don’t be shy, have confidence and admire my work!”

Year 9 student, St Joseph’s RC High School

What happens in a session

The workshop leader introduces the students to the gallery and the notion of ‘seeing’ through drawing and discussion exercises.

They will interpret the gallery’s collection using objects to develop vocabulary, draw comparisons and find metaphors. Using inspiration from 17^th Century artworks they will create a 21^st Century still life mind map.

Through individual and group discussions ideas will be shared, challenged and developed. The students will leave with an information booklet to stimulate further research.

Preparation

Discuss with pupils the basics of visiting a public art gallery, what galleries contain and their importance. Encourage students to bring an open mind and individual experiences and to understand that we do not need to prepare to look at works of art. Before the visit look at artworks without information and promote the message that artworks are ambiguous and open to many forms of interpretation and there are no right and wrong answers.

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

NC related themes

Art: Sketching and mark making techniques are investigated during observational drawing. Students are encouraged to explore ways of seeing and develop aesthetic understanding and the range of thoughts or feelings that occur when looking at art. They will gain an appreciation of the importance of art gallery and museum visits. They will develop an understanding that art is ambiguous and has more than one “right” interpretation, its crafting contains carefully shaped clues and its ambiguity invites speculation.

Literacy: Critical thinking and thinking visually will promote use of creative vocabulary; discussions and ideas will be given shape through language. Linked verbal and visual information helps students make connections, understand relationships and recall related details.

PHSE: Students are inspired to bring their own personal experience to the interpretation of art, to listen to each other and respect each other opinions. They will have the opportunity to think about others interpretations, which may or may not change their original ideas, express themselves, create and work independently and in groups.

I.T: Students are encouraged to use the Internet as a useful research tool.

Calling All Teachers!

This is a new format that we are trialling for Pre-Visit notes. We would love to get your feedback. Did you find this useful or is there anything that you think is missing that should be there? Please contact us with your thoughts at:
Email: mageducation@manchester.gov.uk