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Australian Art

Surrealism

An introductory study of Australian artists

Secondary
Year 10
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A lesson plan to introduce students to the international Surrealist art movement of the 1920’s and its influence on a number of Australian artists who adopted it to convey their strong feelings about war, politics and philosophy in the early 20th century. Students will be able to identify the differences between conventional and Surrealist works of art, understand that Surrealism focuses on the exploration of the subconscious mind; through the use of subversion and juxtaposition, distorted imagery, symbolism and elements of dream-like fantasy.

Overview


Curriculum Connections

Cross-curriculum priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia Learning area: Visual Arts. General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, personal and social cabability, Intercultural understanding, Ethical understanding, Literacy

Themes

Surrealism, Dada, subconscious, dreams, responses to war

Art & Artists


Featured

James Cant

Objects in a landscape
1936

James Gleeson

The citadel
1945

Albert Tucker

Victory girls
1943

Joan Miró

Paysage [Landscape]
1927

Albert Tucker

Sunbathers
1944

Fred Williams

Silver and grey
1969-70

Clifford Bayliss

Man wearing a bowler hat
1945

Max Dupain

Surrealist study
1938

Max Dupain

Doll's head and goat's skull
c. 1937

James Gleeson

Spain
1951

James Gleeson

The attitude of lightning towards a lady-mountain
1939

Robert Klippel

not titled [P19, organic machine with suspended shape in electro-magnetic field]
1949

Sidney Nolan

Orphée
1948

Albert Namatjira, Western Arrarnta people

Ghost gum
c.1948

Max Ernst

Roi, reine et fou [King, queen and bishop]
1929-30

Yuuma, Gurruburri

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Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
Aerial view of artist Lola Greeno walking along Rocky Beach
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