History of environmental art

Lesson summary

In this activity students explore the existence of environmental art throughout history. Students look at and analyse examples of landscape art, land art and eco art. They are then asked to create their own work of environmental art by recreating a historical work of art or by imagining an artist’s response to climate change.

Learning intentions:

Students will...

understand that environmental art has existed in many forms throughout history

critically analyse the intentions of a range of environmental artists

recognise a range of visual intentions used by environmental artists.

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson Plan

Student Worksheet

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping

Australian Curriculum content description:

Years 9 & 10 Visual Arts:

Conceptualise and develop representations of themes, concepts or subject matter to experiment with their developing personal style, reflecting on the styles of artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists (ACAVAM125)
Manipulate materials, techniques, technologies and processes to develop and represent their own artistic intentions (ACAVAM126)
Plan and design artworks that represent artistic intention (ACAVAM128)
Evaluate how representations communicate artistic intentions in artworks they make and view to inform their future art making (ACAVAR130)
Analyse a range of visual artworks from contemporary and past times to explore differing viewpoints and enrich their visual art-making, starting with Australian artworks, including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and consider international artworks (ACAVAR131)

Year 10 History:

The background to environmental awareness, including the nineteenth century National Parks movement in America and Australia (ACDSEH028)
The growth and influence of the environment movement within Australia and overseas, and developments in ideas about the environment (notion of ‘Gaia’, ‘limits to growth’, concept of ‘sustainability’, concept of ‘rights of nature’) (ACDSEH126)

Syllabus Outcomes: VAS5.1, VAS5.3, VAS5.4, VAS5.5, VAS5.6, VAS5.7, VAS5.10, HT5-1, HT5-3, HT5-4.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Ethical understanding.

Time required: 2 x 48 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity and facilitate discussion.