TEACHER NOTES: Early Stage 1 - Stage 3
ART SET BY: Alinta Williams, Teacher, Early Stage 1 - Stage 3
KICKSTARTER IDEAS
This resource includes ideas and suggestions for looking at, talking about and making art in response to the art practice of Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones.
LOOKING AND INTERPRETING
Walk around the artwork, what do you notice? How does the work change as you look at it from different angles or distances?
What holds up a tree? What makes it strong? How does it make its food? Why has this tree fallen down? What holds you up? What are your "roots"? What would happen if your roots were taken away?
What does this work remind you of? Why does it remind you of that?
What do you notice about the materials used to make this work? Jones often uses everyday and recycled materials in his artworks. Why do you think he does that? Can you think of some everyday materials you could use to create an artwork? Have you ever made an artwork with something from the recycling at home or at school? What did you make? Describe the way you made it.
What words do you think of when you are looking at this artwork? What made you think of those words?
How has Jones arranged the branches? Why do you think he has done it in this specific way?
Jonathan Jones often uses light in his installation works. How has he used light in this artwork?
Can you make your body into the shape of these branches? Imagine you’re the branches – you have to be as still as them. Now make them come alive, how would they move? Would they make a sound?
This work is called untitled (illuminated tree), 2012. What title would you give to this art work?
ARTMAKING
How would the artwork be different without light? Can you close your eyes and imagine the light isn’t there? Now close your eyes and imagine the branches are gone and only the lights remain. Jones often uses elements of light and dark in his work. Using one piece of A4 paper create a small scale installation. You’ll need to use some of your paper to make a stable base for your structure. You can tear, fold and bend the paper and use glue to connect it to the base. Try and use every single bit of the paper. What do you notice about the light and shadow in your work?
Without touching the artwork, trace your finger along the lines of the branches and lights in the air. Now think of a noise as you trace with your finger, for example a low hum. When you reach a break in the branch or light change the sound. Find another person and share your sound with them. Why did you choose that particular sound? Create a soundscape with the group.
Research/look at some of Jones’ black and white works like untitled (graphiteb), 2005. What do you notice about them? Collect small branches from around your school. What do you notice about the shapes of the branches? Use a pencil to trace around the branches and sticks, creating an overlapping effect. Now choose some areas to keep white and other sections colour in black. What you notice?
Jones’ work untitled (illuminated tree), 2012 uses everyday materials. Find maps of local rivers. Interpret them into your own artwork using repurposed and recycled materials.
CROSS CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
As a Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man Jonathan Jones often explores the relationship between culture and history from Indigenous perspectives. In this work a giant tree lies across the floor. Jones is reflecting on the fact that in many artworks painted in the early colonial days, trees were in the foreground and seen as beautiful and romantic. He is allowing us to see the tree in a different way, from an Aboriginal perspective.
Another example of seeing something in a different way are these two maps. (Show the Aboriginal Australia Map and a typical Australian map you would found online or in books.) How are they different? Look at the artwork Sydney From the North Shore, 1888 by C.H. Hunt. How is this tree represented differently to the one in Jones’ work? Create a Venn Diagram showing the differences and similarities.
Jones often tells stories of Australia’s history through his work. How has Jones told a story about the history of colonisation in this country in his work untitled (illuminated tree), 2012?
Read the story Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy. In this book Aunty Joy talks about the importance of place and country to the Wurundjeri People of Victoria.
Jones often includes place as a concept in his installations. Think of a place that is important to you. Map out this place. Does it include water, pathways, buildings, people?
Investigate the Murray Darling River system and its rich history. What can you find out about how the river was used before colonisation and then after?
Can you find any other artists that use light in their artworks? How do they use light in comparison to Jonathan Jones? What are the differences or similarities?
