107-028 Australian Art: Rock to Pop

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history.

This subject engages with key aspects in Australian art from pre-European settlement to 1968. It aims to show ways of interpreting Australian art through a focus upon the relationship of art to historical events. Topics considered will include rock art and bark painting; the perceptual values known as the picturesque and the sublime in topographical and landscape painting respectively; the concept of terra nullius in relation to art; the colonial portrait; women artists and feminist perspectives; nationalism that infused the art of Australian Impressionism, Australian artists abroad; neo-classicism and the 'stampede of the lower gods'; the gaze; modernism in Sydney and Melbourne and the growing awareness of new European movements such as expressionism, cubism, and surrealism; the art polemics of the 1940s; Angry Penguins; Australian Pop Art and the swinging 60s.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

A research essay (including seminar presentation) of 2500 words 60% (due during the semester) and a take-home examination of 1500 words 40% (during the examination period). It is a hurdle requirement of this subject that students attend 75% of tutorials in order to receive an assessment for this subject.

A subject reader will be available