About this Unit

Students utilise the Creative Process, which involves a cycle of research, analysis, exploration and experimentation with 3D materials, idea generation, reflection, development, further reflection, and realisation. They engage with this process as they work towards their creative goal of constructing a Modernist-inspired sculpture using materials such as corrugated cardboard, tape, and PVA glue. Students also acquire the skills needed to complete the following tasks:

Foundations: Observation and Perception

• Identify and analyse forms, structures, and construction techniques in sculptures by Modernist artists such as László Moholy-Nagy, Pablo Picasso, Naum Gabo, Alexander Calder and David Smith and also contemporary artists who work specifically in corrugated cardboard, such as Kiel Johnson and Chris Gilmour.
• Understand and apply the elements of art—particularly form, space, line, and texture—in three-dimensional compositions using appropriate art and design vocabulary.

Creative Expression

• Create original constructed sculptures based on experimentation with innovative materials.
• Apply lateral thinking and problem-solving to explore how everyday materials can be transformed into expressive three-dimensional artworks.
• Experiment with balance, rhythm, and movement inspired by exemplar artists.

Historical and Cultural Relevance

• Investigate the cultural and historical contexts of Modernism and explain its influence on artistic innovation.
• Analyse how Modernist artists challenged traditional aesthetics through abstraction and the unconventional use of materials.
• Reflect on the continued relevance of Modernism in contemporary sculpture and design.

Critical Evaluation & Response

• Respond to and interpret Modernist artworks using subject-specific language in both written and verbal formats.
• Document research, analysis, and personal responses in a process journal.
• Reflect on how their own sculptures embody the creative principles, cultural context, and material innovation associated with Modernist art.