The relationship between fine art and colour has historically been ambivalent. Colour has habitually been devalued, dismissed and denigrated. Colour stands accused of being irrational, sensual, savage, feminine, vulgar and fraudulent. It has been said that ‘Colour is dangerous, or it is trivial, or it is both … colour is the corruption of culture.’ From Classical Antiquity, colour has routinely been seen as mere artifice, superficial make-up to the true beauty of line and the concerns of the intellect it represents. With the emergence of the avant-garde attitudes did change and with the birth of Minimalism, Pop Art and Postmodernism, colour is now everywhere, whether seen in paint, Perspex, photography or print, pure pigment, wax or video installations, bodily fluids or body art, colour can even be said to dominate. Or, does it? There yet lingers a suspicion that colour is not to be trusted. This course delves into the uses and meanings of colour, so why not join our colourful journey?
Course aim
The six-week course Colour provides an opportunity to explore the various uses and meanings of colour within the context of historical and contemporary visual culture.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- discuss a limited range of historical and contemporary socio-cultural issues and debates associated with the use of colour in visual culture, employing appropriate language and terminology
- historically situate the origins and discourses surrounding the value of colour in art through the employment of suitable art terms and language
- consider the contemporary use and meaning of colour from an informed historical perspective
How will I be taught?
- 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?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- Writing materials will be required
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
- A recommended reading list will be provided
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
