EDX1250 Assignment 1

Template for the 5Rs Reflective Writing Scale

Type into this form to review the artwork of a peer in your group. When you have done
so, return this document with your review to that peer. A colleague in your group (not
necessarily the same person) will also review your work. When you receive your
colleagues completed review of your artwork, post it on your own personal website.
Follow the instructions for preparing the final Group submission
Name of Reviewer: Kirsty Wales
Name of Peer (creator of artwork): Karen Moore

Component 1 - Reporting
This is a straightforward description of the artwork. It does not explore the essence of
the work but focuses on the apparent features. Imagine that you are describing it to
someone who cannot see it. (For the final group submission, collaborate and discuss in
order to combine group perceptions and observations. Create a broader, group report of
the piece. Marks will be given for clarity, detail of observation and perception).
Min 100 words
Karens artwork, titled Bubbles is created using mixed media such as crayon, tissue
paper, coloured paper, glue and chalk all on white paper.
There is a light green and blue semi-circle centred in the foreground of the picture. Above
this there is an assortment of large and small circles and the larger bubbles have been
created using different colours and media.
Need to add more words here

Component 2 - Responding
Respond to the artistic substance created by the use of the Design Elements (described
in detail in the Text Book, see p. 313). Discuss the use of line, colour, shape (form, mass
and volume if necessary), texture, value (tone, shade, intensity and tint - if necessary) and
also Design Principles (p. 314) for example, balance. Comment on technique.
Include descriptions of emotional responses to the artwork. Raise new questions about
the piece. The questions may be varied and with a broad focus about the nature of art, the
process of interpretation or of creativity in general. (For the final submission, collaborate
to include alternative interpretations of meaning that other members, other than the
artist, may have about the piece and a variety of questions raised by individuals).
Min 300 words

The artist, Karen Moore, has created a very calming and harmonious artwork through
deliberate use of colour, shape, line, contrast and balance.
The colours chosen for this artwork are all cool colours including aqua, light blue, dark
blue, grey, dark aqua/green, light purple and a light green. These colours stimulate
feelings of calm and tranquillity within me.
By placing all shapes and colours against a white background, attention is really drawn
toward the fish and the bubbles. It also adds to the feeling of peace and calm as white is a
symbol of peace. This was a very effective artistic choice.
Circles have been used to represent the bubbles while a semi-circle has been used to
represent the fish. This choice creates a slight but clear distinction between the fish and
the bubbles. The use of soft, curved shapes and round and smooth lines used throughout
the artwork has added to the sense of calm and tranquillity.
The repeated use of circular shapes of similar hue also ensures there is rhythm to the
artwork as the viewers eyes are led around the artwork in a free flowing manner, from
one bubble to the other.
The varying textures created by the use in differing medium add an interesting element to
this artwork. The use of chalk in the light blue and light green bubbles creates a very soft
and smooth texture. The use of torn and glued on coloured and tissue paper adds a
patchwork feel to the purple, grey, dark blue and dark green bubbles and where the
paper edges are seen, creates a fuzzy texture. The areas of these bubbles that are
remaining white (from the edges of the paper not aligning) creates a break-up of the
block colour, adding an almost shimmering element to the bubbles, adding a
representation of the light reflecting off of the bubbles. This was a bold, interesting and
effective method chosen by the artist.
The artwork has been created using a majority of light colours and materials, including a
white background, which has led to the artwork having a high key or light value. A few
darker bubbles (grey, dark blue and dark green) provide some contrast in the artwork and
prevent the artwork from feeling monotone.
I believe by placing the fish centred, in the foreground (in the centre at the bottom of the
artwork) and by evenly distributing the bubbles on either side of the artwork, the artist
has created a feeling of balance via a vertical axis of symmetry.
Overall, when viewing this artwork I feel calm, at peace and a little light hearted. The
calm and peaceful feeling mostly stems from the use of flowing and rounded lines and
cool, calming colours. The playful, non-realistic (abstract) shape of the fish and the
colours and textures used for the bubbles invokes the light hearted feeling I get when
viewing this artwork.

Component 3 Reflecting and Relating

Reflect and relate by making connections between the substance (described above) and
your own prior experience, learning or understanding of the arts. Consider what prior
experiences or learning you possess that influence how you respond to the artwork (For
the final submission, collaborate in order to include a variety of related or different
experiences that colleagues may have about the piece).
Min 100 words
I am quite a visual person and like to fill my life with colours that evoke particular
feelings (for example my favourite colour is yellow, for the reason that it is a colour
which represents happiness and positivity). Because of this, I connected well with
Karens artwork Bubbles because of her expressive use of cool colours, which created an
overall calming effect.
I feel because of my ties to my close family and friends that I responded to this artwork in
a particular way, believing that the artwork was symbolic of the artists family and
friends, as you will read below.

Component 4 - Reasoning
This is a response to the deeper substance of the artwork. This includes reasoning and
critical comment on significant factors related to the broad categories of artistic
endeavour (page 324) such as the use of Symbolism and Visual metaphor or how the
artwork is positioned within Representation, Formalism, Expressionism or Social
commentary and Narrative (you should study and refer to these in the text book)
Include thoughts about the meaning of the work and how the compositional factors
contribute to its meaning. Support subjective interpretations with explanation. (In the
final submission stage, in your group you may discuss the original intentions of the artist.
but in collaboration, you may also include alternative interpretations of meaning that
other members may have about the piece).
Min 250 words
When I first viewed this artwork I thought it to be a Formalist or abstract artwork, made
simply to represent a moment or place (i.e. the fish tank) in an abstract way. However,
upon deeper engagement with the artwork, I now feel it is an expressionist piece.
Expressionism is an art form where artists strive to capture feelings and create an
emotional connection with the audience, above all else (Dinham, 2011, p.330). The
artist has focused on creating harmony and a sense of calm in her artwork. This has been
accomplished through use of similar cool colours and many soft, round and curved
shapes.
After engaging deeply with this artwork, I feel that symbolism has also been used. I feel
that this artwork may be symbolising a component of the artists, or someone the artist
knows, life; this person being the little fish in foreground of the artwork. My
interpretation of the artwork follows below.

The fish is surrounded by significant others or significant events or places in its life; these
people, places and things being represented by the large, coloured bubbles in the artwork.
Most of these people, places or things bring the person comfort and peace and make them
feel calm and the use of differing textures represents their differing personalities and
roles within the persons life. The dark grey bubble represents a very strong person in the
fishs life, however I am unsure whether this person is a positive or negative person in
their life. The use of a dark, grey colour makes me feel as though this person makes the
person unhappy, or is perhaps unhappy themselves. The use of the colours in the artwork
along with the positioning and size of the bubbles in the artwork lead me to feel this way,
along with my personal connections to the people around me.
Im sure there will be many other interpretations of this piece, however this is the story
I am being told through the artists use of colour, line, shape and balance.

Component 5 - Reconstructing
Through your work in addressing the above Components, discuss your new
understandings about evaluating an artwork and how these will influence your
future actions as a teacher of the arts. Mention awareness of the development of
childrens personal aesthetics - see Fostering childrens artistic growth- p. 111,
Textbook. (For the final submission, collaborate about shared understandings and
collate actions for the future).
Min 300 words
By undergoing this process to help me engage with artworks in a particular way, I have
found that I am more appreciative of art. It is not simply about whether you like an
artwork or not or whether you think it is pretty or ugly. It is more about how the artist
used the elements and principles to convey a message or a feeling to the audience. The
more a viewer looks into an artwork in this way, the greater appreciation for the artwork
they can gain.
If I had not been provided with the 5Rs framework, I know I would not have been able to
reflect on and respond to the artwork in as much detail as I have. The use of a framework
such as this will be essential when guiding children to respond to artworks. Not only does
it slowly step you to deeper engagement with the artwork, but it also mentions the aspects
the viewer should be looking at (reminds them of the artistic elements and principles to
refer to when looking at the composition of the artwork).
By opening childrens eyes to a world of art and art appreciation, they are being taught to
not take things for face value. This can apply to all facets of their life, not just art. They
could be awoken to the world around them and become more inquisitive, questing the
design and construction of artworks, sculptures, buildings and even advertisements.
By getting students to respond to artworks on a deeper level, they can gain appreciation
for the creation and meaning of artworks and their eyes can be opened to the diverse
ways people read the same artwork based on their life experiences; students can

experience the idea of multiple perspectives first hand. Evaluating an artwork as a class
and exploring the idea of multiple perspectives can then tie in very well to other
curricular areas such as History and Geography, where the concept of multiple
perspectives is vital.