Collage is a foundation for our cut and paste digital present day and remains popular as an art making activity across all age groups and cultures. This is a creative and engaging course with hands-on activities that will develop an open-minded and liberating approach to colour and collage in art and design. A history of collage is investigated visiting major global museum collections online and referencing artworks of significance. The classes begin with presented art ideas, continue with art making by hand, and conclude with critique, reflection and discussion.
- Works and ideas by a diverse range of artists and designers are explored. Artists may include Kurt Schwitters, Joseph and Anni Albers, Romare Bearden, and Rosalie Gascoigne.
- Schools and schools of thought may also be presented – from the Bauhaus and Black Mountain College to present day environmental art movements engaged in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” ethos.
- Methods, materials and process are explored in hands-on exercises involving imagination, storytelling and experimental process.
- Art & design elements and principles are explored in the art of composition.
- Colour theory - ideas about the spectrum and the colour wheel (including colour relationships and colour palettes) - are investigated.
- Ideas of chance, representation and abstraction & our intuitive responses to art and colour are also examined.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Identify and become familiar with the elements of art and design & ideas of composition.
- Engage comfortably with hands on collage activities that highlight creativity and storytelling.
- Engage in collage experiments using colour harmonies and contrasts.
- Discover a range of collage artists and art movements across the history of art.
- Learn to play with materials within a structure and to comfortably apply chance and intuition to the creative process.
- 2B pencil, a small notepad
- Scissors, UHU glue stick
- Arches Watercolour Smooth A4 (210 x 297mm) – 15 sheet pad 185gsm or similar
- A collection of papers that interest you eg: coloured papers, magazine pages, transport tickets, labels, old books you are prepared to cut up, tracing paper, photocopied papers or any printed material etc. (This can start as a very small collection & will be added to and edited over the course, for the first week similar materials will be supplied)
- Optional Materials: Scalpel knife or snap off knife & metal ruler with plastic cutting board (NB: do not bring if you are unfamiliar with these tools)
IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.
The following stockists are examples of places where you can purchase art materials for your course:
- Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
- Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney. WEA students receive a 10% discount on materials required for their course at the York Street store when showing their course confirmation email.
- Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
- The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
- The Sydney Art Store: 11 Salisbury Street, Botany. Ph: 9699 2162
You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.
