Objects in Fine Art
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can review the range of ways artists have been inspired by objects in art.
Key learning points
- Objects often carry symbolic weight, allowing artists to convey complex themes and narratives.
- Artists can choose objects that hold personal significance, creating works that resonate emotionally.
- By arranging objects thoughtfully, artists can guide viewers through a visual story.
Keywords
Still life - an artwork showing an image of everyday objects that don’t move
Composition - the arrangement of elements in an artwork
Signify - to show, mean, or represent something
Common misconception
Objects in art are only depicted in realistic pictures.
Objects can be used in a range of ways in art. Objects can be used as an art material or as the subject of an artwork. Objects in art often contain symbolic meanings.
Teacher tip
Greater contextual information on the artist's work can be found in the additional materials. You may wish to alter the imagery to better fit your project themes.
Equipment
Access to the internet or a library of art books. Sketchbook or paper for recording ideas, pencils, pens.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does depth in art help to create?
Q2.What does proportion refer to in a piece of art?
Q3.Match each word to its correct definition.
Bring different elements together
A three-dimensional object or shape
Distribution of visual weight in a composition
Q4.Which of these best describes a composition in visual art?
Q5.Personal in art means sharing your own feelings or ideas.
Q6.Which of the following best describes the form of an object in art?
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Objects in Fine Art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Objects in Fine Art, 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 4 art and design lessons from the Themes within Fine Art unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.