Year 9 Artist research project

1. Artist Homework Project
INSTRUCTIONS. READ ME FIRST
On the next slide, there are 9 tasks. In the first week, you must
complete the task in the middle box.
You then have until your homework deadline to choose two more tasks
which create a straight line passing through the middle box.
Think carefully about the presentation. Include plenty of images to
illustrate your research and don’t forget to write the titles and dates of
each work you include.

2. Society: Critics’ & Public Opinion
The work produced by many Artists frequently
shocked the Art establishment or the general public.
Can you find any evidence regarding how the work of
your particular artist created was received by society?
Include images to support your answers.
In-depth artist study. (Make sure you include images)
Explore your artist’s life and work. Research these
three areas:
Context (the facts): when and where your artist was
born and/or studied. Do any life events help us to
understand the work they created?
Intentions: What was your artist trying to achieve?
Their aims may change over the course of their life.
You may also discuss technique, materials, subject
matter and how their work changed during their
lifetime. Include plenty examples of their work. Don’t
forget titles and dates.
Three transcriptions*:
Draw three different pieces by your artist. Try to use a
different media for each one. Make sure these are at
least A4.
Each transcription must be accompanied with the
artist’s name, the title and date it was created.
* A transcription is a careful copy.
Stories (Make sure you include images):
Behind the work.
Your artist may have a connection to the subject
(person) they painted. Present a piece of work and
explain the story, relationship or history behind it. Are
there any clues to the relationship etc behind the
work?
In the case of a self portrait explain how the work
reflects what was going on at that time in the artist’s
life. Are there symbols or clues in the work that help
us understand what was going on?
START HERE. COMPULSARY
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS AND
THROUGHOUT THESE TASKS ONLY LOOK AT THEIR
PORTRAIT WORK:
Chuck Close, Cindy Sherman, Van Gogh, Rembrandt,
David Hockney
OVERVIEW OF YOUR ARTIST’S LIFE
Present a timeline of your ARTIST’S LIFE. This must
include (at the very least) key dates, places and
important people in your artist’s life. Highlight any
points that could help us to understand the artist’s
work.
Behind the Artist.
Is there a particular event during your artist’s life. that
you feel is important to know in order to understand
their work?
Use a piece of work to support your explanation.
Response:
Create a piece of work that takes inspiration from your
artist. This must not be a copy but a portrait of
someone you know or a self portrait that is in the style
of your chosen artist.
Cultural, Social & Political Influences:
There are bound to be many, significant events
throughout the life of your artist.
Did their work respond to a particular event within Art
or the wider world?
Include images to support your answers.
Interview an artist
Create an imagined interview with your artist. Your
questions should ask them about their life but most
importantly about their work. For example: What
themes does your work address? Why do you use this
particular media?
Structure your work so that you write the question
followed by the answer given by your artist.
Include images to support your answers.

3. Chuck Close
Useful links:
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-close-chuck.htm
http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/portraits/chuck_close.html
https://www.visualnews.com/2013/11/05/creatives-work-amazing-portraits-
chuck-close/
https://www.artsy.net/article/jessica-beyond-the-portrait-the-many-categories-
of
Cindy Sherman
Useful links:
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-sherman-cindy.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/jan/15/cindy-sherman-
interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiszC33puc0
http://www.dazeddigital.com/photography/article/32147/1/your-ultimate-
guide-to-cindy-sherman
Van Gogh
Useful links:
http://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/selfportrait.html
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/highlights/highli
ght106382.html
Rembrandt
Useful Links:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/rembrandt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20141009-did-rembrandt-
invent-the-selfie
David Hockney
Useful links:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/jul/03/david-hockney-
82-portraits-royal-academy-observer-review
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1p1SHwc7mdX4yttMFtBsnhB/portr
aits-of-personality-hockney-holds-court-at-the-ra
http://www.culturewhisper.com/r/visual_arts/david_hockney_portraits_royal_a
cademy/5713