Sorry – that’s a truly terrible title, I know. It’s 9:20pm and it’s time for dad jokes, so bear with me here and I assure you we’ll get somewhere:
- Steak jokes…a medium rarely well done
- Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.
- I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!
Ok sorry, I’ll stop.
Achievement Standard Time
Yr 7 / 8: students identify and analyse how other artists use visual conventions and viewpoints to communicate ideas and apply this knowledge in their art making. They evaluate how they and others are influenced by artworks from different cultures, times and places.
Yr 9 / 10: students evaluate how representations communicate artistic intentions in artworks they make and view. They evaluate artworks and displays from different cultures, times and places.
Lets take a look at something that kinda looks like a self portrait of me:
See? Almost identical, the resemblance is uncanny. Any way, over to you all for a second, lets have a chat.
Discuss: What do you see? What is the image conveying? How does it do this?
Cool, good chat. So, here’s some info for your minds:
General Overview
The Expressionist movement started in Germany. These artists wanted to paint about emotion. It could be anger, anxiety, fear, or peacefulness. This wasn’t a completely new idea in art. Other artists like Vincent Van Gogh had been doing the same thing. However, this was the first time this type of art had been given a name.
When was the Expressionism movement?
The Expressionist movement occurred during the early part of the 1900s.
What are the characteristics of Expressionism?
Expressionist art tried to convey emotion and meaning rather than reality. Each artist had their own unique way of “expressing” their emotions in their art. In order to express emotion, the subjects are often distorted or exaggerated. At the same time colours are often vivid and shocking.
Famous Expressionist Artists
- Max Beckman – Beckman was a German painter who was against the Expressionist movement. However, many of his paintings are described as Expressionist.
- James Ensor – A Dutch painter who had great influence on the Expressionist movement in Germany.
- Oskar Kokoschka – An Austrian artist whose artwork was displayed in the German magazine The Storm when Expressionism became a true art movement.
- August Macke – A leading member of the Expressionist group The Blue Rider in Germany, he also painted some Abstract Art.
- Franz Marc – A founding member of The Blue Rider group, Franz Marc was one of the leaders in the Expressionist movement.
- Edvard Munch – A Symbolist and Expressionist, Munch is best known for his famous painting The Scream.
- Egon Schiele – An early adopter of Expressionism, Egon died at the young age of 28.
Interesting Facts about Expressionism
- Another movement was taking place in France at the same time called Fauvism. It was led by artist Henri Matisse.
- Groups of Expressionist artists formed in Germany. One was called The Bridge and the other The Blue Rider.
- Many Expressionist artists also overlap into other movements such as Fauvism, Symbolism, Abstract Art, and Surrealism.
- There was also Expressionist literature, dance, sculpture, music, and theatre.
- Many of the German Expressionists artists had to flee Germany during World War II
Task for growing understanding
So i’ll give you some choices right now – some of you may want to work individually on your own and create, in that case dive right in. You’ll need to provide me with a written statement (only 1 – 2 paragraphs) stating why your art work is connected to expressionism and what it is conveying.
Alternatively – pair up and create a portrait of your partner in an expressionist style. You must be able to unpack your intentions (Why is it expressionist? What have you done to ensure it fits the style? What were you intending on conveying). Check below for some inspiration:
Muliyan 