Fine Art and Art History

The module introduces students to methods, materials and processes relevant to fine art. Students will begin to explore approaches to the production of fine art studio outcomes that will be further developed in the second semester practice module.

The module provides an opportunity to explore collaborative and interdisciplinary art and/or curatorial practice by undertaking work alongside students from other programmes in the Department of Art & Performance.

Students are allocated to a pathway according to their programme to introduce ideas relevant to their studies. The module introduces some of the broad over-arching themes and concepts – historical, cultural, social, political, and economic – that affect and inform the production of art, design and/or craft.

This module is delivered and assessed by individual programmes and relate directly to students’ personal practice and the contexts that inform making in professional art, design and/or craft practices. The module asks students to begin to form a critical understanding of their own practice.

The module involves an introduction to art c.1800-1900, addressing Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism in relation to modern life and modernity. It also introduces practices and concepts that are central to the discipline of art history.

The module deals with the early twentieth century artistic avant-garde, examining groupings such as Cubism, Futurism, Vorticism, Constructivism, Dada, and Surrealism.

The module explores art from the mid- to late twentieth century in different geographical locations, considering categories of art practice, artists and groups, political and social conditions, and art historical issues arising from the study of art during this period.

The module examines methods and theories relevant to the historical study and interpretation of art and other forms of visual culture, and looks at the place of these theories in the development of the discipline of art history.

The module facilitates the development of an independent studio practice, providing an opportunity to further explore materials, processes and issues relating to fine art. Tutorials will support the student in selecting from the second semester practice options.

The module will explore institutional contexts for the teaching, production, and use of art (such as the art school, the studio, patronage, the art market, the art museum). As part of this, the module will also examine historical processes of change since the Renaissance that have resulted in the transformation of the institutional structure of art.

The module expects students to work with increasing independence to create art works that demonstrate an engagement with contemporary art practices. Tutorials will support the student in selecting from the second semester practice options.