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Overview | Summary of Courses

Offered By:	Faculty of Law, Faculty of Asian Studies, ANU Medical School, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Canberra School of Art, Faculty of Economics and Commerce, and Faculty of Arts
Academic Contact:	Ruth Waller

 

This workshop major may only be taken in a Bachelor of Visual Arts or a Diploma of Art.

The Painting Workshop aims to equip each of its graduates with the ability to develop their ideas visually through processes of research, discussion and reflection, drawing on an appreciation of art history and theory and fostering an understanding of the broad range of contemporary practice. Our programme encourages students to be self-reliant and self-motivated, resourceful, inventive and imaginative, exploring the full expressive potential of materials and processes. Students are taught  to develop a capacity to reflect critically on their own work and to communicate effectively their intentions and interests in a lively exchange of ideas. This approach provides a strong grounding for future professional practice.

Studio facilities include a multi-purpose tool shop containing all the equipment necessary to work wood, other soft materials and some metals. A dedicated drawing space is equiped with specialist lighting. Studios are open planned, well lit and well ventilated. An extraction room is provided for toxic sprays. Photocopying, cameras, digital imaging and projection facilites and slide projection equipment are all available for student use. The early stages of the course involve a series of projects designed to expand students' creative and technical skills while laying the foundations for the development of critical judgment. As the course progresses more emphasis is placed on each individual's creative conceptual and technical development.

Weekly intensive drawing sessions are taught by visiting artists with national/international significance and experience. This programme, which may involve observational or exploratory drawing, develops visual research skills and broadens the students' experience and conception of drawing.

The Studio Theory Seminar programme covers aspects of the history and theory of painting introducing themes and issues for analysis and debate, and emphasises the range of contemporary practice nationally and internationally.