NCEA Level 3 - Visual Arts 2011
Examples of Candidate Work – 90668
Photography
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Excellence
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Excellence
This candidate shows evidence that:
• The drawing on panel one clearly defines the proposition undertaken and establishes
the concept of mortality while seeking connections through a variety of contexts.
Connections between nature and biology are made and with references to the
language of science and medicine, for example x-ray as a means of photographing
the body which set a very intelligent proposition. Many photographs explore the
transitions between paper surface, craft methods and various drawing processes.
There is a comprehensive engagement of study and ownership in the selection of
ideas with drawing being playful, experimental, purposeful and in-depth.
• The vanitas investigation at the beginning sets up the premise. The integrated use of
subject matter of skeletons, the human body and natural trees and plant roots form
the analysis and clarification of ideas through pictorial devices of line (human veins
and plant root structures), positive/negative form and minimal colour palette to
express.
• There is a clear fluency in photographic methods such as cyanotypes, the use of
acetate, photograms and stitching that have been used with purpose and thorough
understanding, including colour selection and use of light; dark/black and white to
provide inner x – ray effects of the human figure. This candidate demonstrates an
advanced, mature understanding of a range of photographic processes used and
ideas have been successfully evaluated throughout this submission.
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The work results from a thorough study and careful selection of ideas from a variety
of artistic and historical references such as Fernando Vincente, Starn Twins, Fay
Helfer, Kiki Smith and Susan Derges. Through the appropriate selection of artistic
references, the candidate has been able to demonstrate a depth and range of picture
making ideas complimented by a meaningful use of established practice. Many
works extend beyond established practice, selecting and using appropriate elements
into a synthesis that is the candidate’s own.
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Excellence
This candidate shows evidence that:
• Panel 1 clearly defines the proposition and generates responses to the human condition in
this documentary submission. Communication about emotions and one who possibly
lives on their own are sensitively considered with a genuine investigation into the subject
matter that appears close to the candidate. This submission activates a sense of
engagement and ownership.
• There is clear technical fluency of photographic methods and an in-depth understanding
of framing, depth of field and composition. High level understanding of framing is
presented from documenting the ‘grandmother’ to still life details of her personal
belongings. Panel three continues to analyse and critically re-evaluate demonstrating an
advance, mature understanding of the depth and breadth that the proposition offers
through the larger scale works that explore the location and context; outside and inside.
• Variations in lighting create emotion, detail and surface of objects found in the home.
The clarification in pictorial direction continues to provide further options for the
production of new photographs. Consideration to symmetrical and asymmetrical
compositions provided richness and engagement towards the images including the
proximity to the subject matter. The work results from a thorough study and careful
selection of ideas from a variety of artistic references that lay within photographic
documentary artist models.
• There is an intelligent engagement of study as ideas are contained within technical and
expressive photographic styles, demonstrating sophisticated understanding of picture
making, light, framing and composition.
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Merit
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Merit
This candidate shows evidence that:
• Drawing has been used to purposefully generate ideas about the relationship
between the physical and the mental energy in children’s play. Compositions
show a depth of ideas about the physical presence, and energy associated with
freedom and play in the context of the playground to the beach. Some of the
more developed works on panels 2 and 3 show analysis and clarification of
picture making as the candidate has been able to build a formal narrative in
response to previous works.
• Many photographic techniques have been used with understanding and purpose.
There are formal devices that drive the proposition through the use of blur
movement, repetition, layering of two images and light to capture action shots
of childhood, freedom and flight. Colour is well considered with a range of
subdued tones used in contrast with black and darker tones of colour.
• This submission develops systematically and ideas have been analysed to
enable the movement into new compositions which explore a juxtaposition of
planes of colour of the kite, contrasting abstract shapes and silhouettes are
formed. The generosity of options has been taken through the pictorial
conventions used such as integrated movement and depth of field combined
with light and colour shifts.
• A range of established practice such as Martin Parr, Ti An Martines, James
Welling and Kelli Connell has been researched in-depth to inform decision
making about techniques, methods and pictorial direction, of which
demonstrate an understanding of artistic references.
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Merit
This candidate shows evidence that:
• The drawing in this submission has been purposefully generated and appropriate
imagery has been selected to create a submission that offers complex picture
making with well-considered framing appropriate to the interior and exterior space
of a farm shed. This survey of a location is contextualised by establishing the
location at the outset. These photographs have developed a range of pictorial ideas
which analyse light, contrast, viewpoint and shape; all of which have been used
appropriately towards the formal survey.
• A systematic and critical approach has focused on the development of pictorial
ideas and relationships shared between repeated shapes and shadows, surfaces and
windows that act as framing devices. These relationships lift and enhance the work
from the device of repetition, into works of vastly rich contrasting spaces; spaces
that appear larger than in life. The use of viewpoints and close up studies of the
space on panel three which has been informed by more abstracted works has
created a hybridisation of panels one and two. Purposeful editing has allowed for
space and light to be used sensitively to enhance the interior to create a particular
type of aesthetic and mood.
• Understanding of various artist models such as Ralph Gibson, Josef Koudelka,
Laurence Aberhart and Peter Black have provided the candidate with technical
knowledge such as the interplay between positive and negative space, depth of
field and the shifts of light.
• With the pictorial ideas evident, more could have been regenerated from a broader
in-depth drawing base at the beginning to gain Achievement with Excellence.
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Achieved
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Achieved
This submission shows evidence that:
• This linear investigation demonstrates appropriate drawing skills used to
record information on panel one. A variety of compositional arrangements
investigating representations of femininity and domestic craft are evident,
while the generative prints on panel one which follow show sufficient
evidence of clarification. The ideas explored on panels two and three
analyse the concept of beauty through the use of repetition and patterning
devices with imagery from pattern and fabric design and the real objects
themselves.
• Selected drawing and photographic methods are appropriate to purpose and
demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and constraints of the chosen
processes as the processes that are employed are related to the subject
matter itself and are explored photographically. The pictorial devices
investigated are composition, shape and the arrangement of sewing related
elements form the clarification and regeneration of ideas on panels two and
three.
• All works are related and systematic despite the small movements of
progression. There is evidence that ideas have been evaluated with decisions
made to explore viewpoint and depth of field to express a particular
aesthetic.
• Ideas have been developed through selected forms of established practice,
with reference to artists Olivia Parker and Christo that have informed the
development of ideas and appropriate selection of methods. A greater range
of subject matter and more significant steps in the development of ideas to
provide options would be required for Achieved with Merit.
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Achieved
This candidate appears to have been able to regularly revisit ‘the shed’ and to
generate and develop ideas that address the relationship between objects and
environment. These are represented through a range of viewpoints, close ups and
consideration to the proximity of the objects.
There is a consistent approach to print quality employed and composition has been
explored through arrangement and re arrangement of tools and the work bench
wall. Pictorial devices of repetition, pattern and light have been used to clarify
ideas at an appropriate level and regenerate by moving into silhouettes. The
investigation of ideas centred on the repeated forms of tools has been thought
through and understood and has resulted in a logical and linear development of
ideas.
There is knowledge and understanding of specific conventions, which have been
developed appropriately to the proposition. There is clear reference to artists such
as Jane Ussher and Jim Dine who have been used to assist with clarification and
regeneration.
This folio may have benefited from more in depth drawing with a broader range of
subject matter and viewpoint including more research to provide options within
compositions for later panels and therefore would not have had to been so heavily
reliant on using the same pictorial devices over and over again to have gained
Achieved with Merit.
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