Art and war
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore and use different artistic techniques to convey themes of war and conflict.
Key learning points
- Art can be used to promote or oppose a war, recruit soldiers, or justify a war
- Art can show the impact of war, including battles, the impact on soldiers and civilians, and city destruction.
- Art can speak to future conflicts and remind us of our shared humanity
Keywords
Propaganda - artwork created to influence people’s opinions, or actions, by promoting a message
Commission - when someone pays an artist to create a specific piece based on their request and specifications
Common misconception
Art about war mainly glorifies violence or heroism.
Much art inspired by war actually critiques violence, depicts the horrors of war, and emphasises the human cost.
Teacher tip
More information can be found in the additional materials to support with this lesson.
Equipment
Paper, cardboard, acrylic paint, brushes & palette knife, scissors, glue. Optional: split pins & templates found in additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What it the correct term for artwork created to influence people’s opinions, or actions, by promoting a message?
Q2.What is a limited colour palette?
Q3.Complete the sentence: The subject of an artwork is...
Q4.Which of these is not an example of mark-making?
Q5. What does the term "pose" refer to in art?
Q6.How can body pose be used to tell us about the subject in an artwork?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which are the three most likely types of artworks commonly created about war and conflict?
Q2.Match these keys words and definitions
Q3.What do personal response artworks often reflect?
Q4.Fill the gap: Personal response artworks have greater freedoms to criticise wars and represent the of war than commissioned war art or propaganda.
Q5.Which statement is mostly likely how artists convey their negative experiences and emotions related to war?
To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Art and war, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Art and war, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 art and design lessons from the Social action unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.