The Australian landscape has long been a popular subject for Australian artists and has been instrumental in guiding discussions about what constitutes an Australian national identity. Throughout this course we will look at how the landscape has been represented by various artists from the 19th century to the present day. We will explore how landscape art was used to create a sense of national identity at the time of Federation; we will examine how Aboriginal artists represent the land and how they subvert traditional western art practices to reclaim their heritage; and we will learn about how art movements such as impressionism, realism and symbolism have been used by Australian Artists. No prior knowledge of art or Australian history is necessary to participate in this course.
Course aim
This course will examine the way the Australian landscape has been represented in Art from the late 19th century to the present day.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No skills or experience needed
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identity 5 key artists in the field of Australian Landscape Art
- Discuss the role landscape art had in creating a national identity in Australia
- Understand how Australian Aboriginal Artists represented the landscape and how this differed from white australians
- Analyse, interpret and evaluate a painting in a small group
- Understand the significance of context in informing the interpretation of a painting
How will I be taught?
- Most of your learning will take place in your class, but one or two sessions will be online using WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas, working by yourself or engaging with other students. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
Download full course information sheet
