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The importance of relationships and connections through art

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can make a creative, collaborative connection through line and malleable materials.

Key learning points

  1. How touch, connection, and communication, reflecting human relationships and experiences can be expressed through art.
  2. Working with materials like clay or paper can be grounding and physically engaging.
  3. Malleable materials can be used to express care for one another.

Keywords

  • Connection - emotional, intellectual and personal engagement with something

  • Collaborative - the act of more than one person working together to create something

  • Malleable - a material which can be pressed or moulded into shape

Common misconception

Artists always work alone to create their art.

Many artists collaborate with others, work in teams, or invite the community to be part of the process.

Teacher tip

Tear newspaper lengthways to remove the need for cutting. Choose pupils of mixed ability when working collaboratively to encourage teamwork, peer learning, and a balance of strengths.

Equipment

Objects to draw, pencils, pens, viewfinders, newspaper, scissors, tape.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
Why do some artists choose to use food as a medium in their artwork?

because ingredients are less expensive than traditional art materials
because food is easy to store permanently without changing
Correct answer: because it challenges traditional ideas of what art can be

Q2.
What is a tradition?

a new idea that changes every week
a law that everyone must follow
Correct answer: a belief or practice passed down through generations

Q3.
Why does food appeal to artists?

Correct answer: Food offers rich colours, textures, and forms that are visually inspiring.
Correct answer: Food is a universal symbol that represents sustenance and culture.
Correct answer: Food is a common medium in many art forms, from still life to sculpture.

Q4.
Food appeals to artists because it represents culture, sustenance, and memory, while offering rich visual qualities like colour, texture, and form.

Food is always the same across all cultures.
Food has no connection to cultural identity.
Correct answer: Food is shaped by the history, traditions, and values of a culture.

Q5.
Which of the following foods has a crunchy texture?

banana
Correct answer: crisps
porridge

Q6.
Which of the following food-related holidays is traditionally linked to a religious observance?

National Doughnut Day
Correct answer: Mardi Gras
International Coffee Day

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

5 Questions

Q1.
What does texture mean?

the use of colours in an artwork
the arrangement of shapes in an artwork
Correct answer: the surface quality, appearance or feel of an object in a work of art

Q2.
How does art create connections between individuals and cultures?

Correct answer: Art only connects people within the same culture or community.
Art focuses solely on personal expression and does not engage with others.
Art provides a universal language that exceeds cultural barriers.

Q3.
How do people communicate through art?

by only creating art that represents realistic images
by using only words and no images in their art
Correct answer: by using colours, shapes, and symbols to express emotions, ideas, and messages

Q4.
Why is a viewfinder useful in art?

It helps in mixing colours more effectively.
Correct answer: It helps focus on a specific area of the scene and frame the composition.
It prevents artists from making mistakes while drawing.

Q5.
What does malleable mean?

a material that reflects light
a material that is used only for painting
Correct answer: a material that can be shaped or bent without breaking

To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: The importance of relationships and connections through art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...