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Name: ………………………………………………………

Durban Girls’ High School

Visual Arts

Grade 12

May 2015

MEMO

GENERAL REMARKS

Learners MUST NOT mix up the questions within the themes.
They can answer the themes in any order but must keep all questions within a theme together. THERE IS A REASON! Explain…..
Each paragraph must be prefaced with the focus of the paragraph … e.g. “In style, the work seems to be more realistic…” OR “When I interpret the meaning, I find that ….”
Many learners STILL have no idea how to use paragraphs to construct an essay. Please focus on this skill which is determined in the planning stage.
Learners aiming for 100% must realize that writing skills are critical and not just knowledge of the content or analytical skills.
10 marks requires a 1 page essay. 4 marks requires at least 4 sentences (8 lines). Learners often wrote too little.

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Theme 2

South African Artists influenced by African and/or indigenous art forms [36]

Many South African artists make use of indigenous symbols and images to express their African identity, while their work still depicts the themes of modern society.

FIGURE 2a: Wayne Baker, Land and Desire, strung glass beads, 2009.

2.1

Analyse and interpret FIGURE 2a. Discuss how the artist expressed the influence of indigenous symbols and modern images in the artwork.

Discuss the following aspects:

• Use of indigenous symbols and images

• Subject matter

• Use of line, shape and colour

• Use of style

• Identify visual symbols that depict a more modern lifestyle. Motivate your answer.

(10)

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2.1

Candidates must analyse and interpret FIGURE 2a.

They must discuss how the artist expressed the influence of indigenous symbols and modern images in the artwork.

They must discuss the following aspects:

• Use of indigenous symbols and images

Wayne Barker's Land And Desire is made from glass beads and this material has been, and still is, associated with indigenous African people even though it is now also being used in most countries internationally to make fashion accessories. An African woman with a turban on her head is portrayed at the top right of the artwork, almost as if she is dressed for an African ritual ceremony or used today as a modern fashion accessory. At the bottom righthand corner there is a traditional woman who could be half naked and she seems to be fetching water from a river using a round clay pot which is known to be a traditional water container or cooking pot. The technique of placing an image on top of another (superimpose), as well as placing various images depicting different themes on one wall was popularly used by the Khoi/San in their rock paintings. Nudity and the use of circles can be interpreted as indigenous symbols.

• Subject matter

In this image Barker depicts black women in different positions, juxtaposed against the South African landscape.

• Use of line, shape and colour

The combination of short and long flowing lines which passes the face/subject matter look as though they are highlighting certain aspects, like her eyes. The artist makes use of bright vibrant colours which are also used in African clothing and Ndebele painted huts. The use of the abstract shapes and recognisable landscape creates a balance between the two images of women, as well as complementing the brown, blue, grey and white shades used to paint the women. Organic shapes are used as well as earthy colours. Red organic lines create movement within the artwork.

• Use of style The use of stylised shapes and the colour usage resemble a Post Modern style. The representation of the women is depicted as a traditional African figure.

• Candidates must identify visual symbols that depict a more modern lifestyle. They have to motivate their answer. The text Land and desire, which forms part of the image, is associated with the contemporary art forms as text/font, is accepted as art in our modern society because many people can read and understand it. Another symbol that depicts a modern lifestyle is the church/house building. There also seem to be cartoon/comic drawings present in red. (10)

The references to colonialism are vague and unsubstantiated. �Discuss this in in class?????? The idea of isolation - no people???

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2.2

You have studied various artworks that have focused on the forms and influences of Africa. In a well-structured 2 page essay, explain how this influence is found in contemporary South African art. Choose AT LEAST TWO of your researched artworks as examples, although you should use three or four. Try and aim for very different types of work to avoid repetition.

Consider the following guidelines in your discussion.

The names of the artworks and of the artists

The historical and geographical contexts of these examples

The influences from Africa and possible traditional meanings

The new meanings that your chosen artists have created.

Analysis of these works showing your understanding of the elements and principles of art/design used by the artists.

(20)

If only ONE example is discussed, the student can only receive a maximum of 6 marks.

Examples that have been studied at school are:

Mapungubwe - entrance by Crafford

Mapungubwe - Interpretive Centre by Rich

Bell - Journey Pots

Bell - Shining through the Shadows

Any other relevant examples…..

If other examples are used that could answer this theme - check that they have not been used again in the same paper for another theme.

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2.3

Analyse the artwork in FIGURE 2b, and discuss how the artist obtained a unique South African expression in her work.

You must use the following in your answer:

• Influences of indigenous and/or African and/or international art

• Content/Subject matter and use of form/shape

• Style and media (6)

Fig. 2b

Mother Africa 1988

Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi� Mixed media and pastel on paper

"My grandmother said we all come from one man and one woman. Originally from Africa, we spread out into the world and the development of other cultures began."

Candidates must analyse and interpret FIGURE 2b.

They must discuss how the artist obtained a unique SA expression.

They must discuss the following aspects:

• Influences of indigenous and/or African and/or international art

There is evidence of African masks in the distortions of the faces. Some evidence of Picasso could be mentioned as well. The colours are very expressive e.g. Expressionism (German or French)

• Content/Subject matter and use of form/shape

The subject matter seems to be that of the people of Africa - all crowded together. The mood seems claustrophobic. Forms seem flattened by the distortions and are seen from many different angles. The space seems flattened as well.

• Style and media

Distortions, exaggerations of the features = stylized faces. Oil pastels lend themselves to expressive colour and simplified form as detail is not that easy. Mixed media suggests that there may be collage (paper) parts stuck on underneath and then worked over with oil pastels.

Allocate 6 marks.

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Theme 3: Socio-political art - including Resistance art of the 1970s and 1980s in South Africa [30]

Art has always been an instrument of change, reflecting the moods of a society, expressing its flaws and victories, and bringing about change. Yet, to be effective, art must be shared, not only for aesthetic fulfilment, but to record effectively the stories it tells.

3.1

Study the images in FIGURE 3a and FIGURE 3b and write an essay in which you tell the story of each image by referring to the following:

• Explanation of what you think is happening in each image (Use your own words.)

• Differences in the representation of the figures

• Reference to the facial expressions and the portrayal of the body

• Which one of the two artworks has the most meaningful visual impact on you and why?

(10)

FIGURE 3a: Paula Rego, Dog Women, pastel on paper, 1994.

FIGURE 3b: Willie Bester, Who Let the Dogs Out? �(detail), installation, metal sculpture, 2001.

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3.1

Candidates must study the images in FIGURE 3a and FIGURE 3b and write an essay in which they tell the story of each image by referring to the following.

• Candidates have to discuss in their own words what they think is happening in each image Paula Rego's Dog Woman portrays a woman mimicking an angry dog. She is crouching to imitate the four-legged position of a dog. Her facial expression and open mouth suggests the typical manner of a dog opening its mouth when attacking. In the work of Bester one sees a vicious police dog attacking a man whilst the policeman is watching. The onlookers, policeman and the photographer are not intervening to prevent the disaster.

• Differences in the representation of the figures Rego represents the figure of the dog as a metaphor, whereas Bester portrays a more realistic image of the animal considering that he is using the medium of scrap metal. Bester's three separate figures create a narrative of an ugly political event.

• Reference to the facial expressions and the portrayal of the body The woman in Rego's work is assimilating an angry dog, which is reflected in the facial expression and the position of the body suggesting a dog about to attack. Bester's main figure portrays a dog with an open mouth, while the man being attacked is shouting for help. The dislocation in the body of the dog suggests its devouring mood, as well as self-destruction. The two figures on either side are robotic and become almost inhumane.

• Which one of the two artworks has the most meaningful visual impact on the candidate and why? Candidates must indicate their own preference and motivate their answer.

If only ONE example is discussed, the student can only receive a maximum of 5 marks. (10)

This question is from a past paper.

It tests observation and application skills.

Few learners understood the meaning of the word 'representation' in the specific art sense.

Learners often simply described the works instead of answering the questions.

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3.2

Write an essay (approximately 1 page) in which you critically analyse and evaluate ONE South African art work you have studied, which you feel address socio-political issues.

You must consider the following guidelines in your discussion:

• Names of artist and title of artworks

• Analysis of artwork

• The use of materials and techniques

• Images, symbols, messages and/or meanings in the artwork

(10)

3.3

Discuss ONE other artwork from a different artist whose work depicts a socio-political event.

Your answer should include the following:

• Names of artist and title of works

• Subject matter

• Use of style

• The stories that have been recorded in the work

(10)

The point of using two essays is to get the learners to focus, as there are different guidelines given.

Examples that they could discuss are;

Bester - The Chair

Murray - The Spear

Alexander - Butcher Boys

Any other relevant examples…..

If other examples are used that could answer this theme - check that they have not been used again in the same paper for another theme.

This question is based on knowledge of chosen artworks. However, there are parts of the guideline that require thinking skills like synthesis.

Most learners had studied their chosen works and did well.

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Theme 5: �Multimedia and new media - alternative contemporary and popular art forms in South Africa [34]

5.1

Candidates must discuss the different works in FIGURES 5a and 5b by referring to the following:

• Interaction of the viewer with the artwork

5a = Here the viewer is watching the artist/actor in different photo frames as if it is an animation. In the real performance, the viewer must have watched the artist drawing the black rain on the wall with 'chalk' (black pastel) and his acting as if the rain was falling on the real umbrella.

5b = Here the viewer feels cut off by the steel frame/cage. The figure looms above the viewer in a threatening way.

• The use of different media in the artwork

5a = This work is very simple and needed just lots of black pastel, an actor, an umbrella and a camera. The clever idea is the essence of the work - the concept.

5b = Here the work is made from items that could be sourced from shops like hardware stores and dress shops using dummies. The new way in which they are combined and transformed is the essence of the work.

• Your reaction to these works. Substantiate your answer.

Any acceptable answer with a reason (10)

Fig. 5b

Kendell Geers Kode-X, 2003

Chevron wrapped objects, industrial steel shelving, concrete, broken glass

Fig 5a. Hard Rain 2010