*NCEA Level 3 - Visual Arts 2011Examples of Candidate Work 90668 Photography

*Excellence

*ExcellenceThis 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. The work results from a thorough study and careful selection of ideas from a variety of artistic and historical references such as Fernando Vincente, Starn Twins, Fay Helfer, Kiki Smith and Susan Derges.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 candidates own.

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*ExcellenceThis 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

*MeritThis candidate shows evidence that:Drawing has been used to purposefully generate ideas about the relationship between the physical and the mental energy in childrens 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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*MeritThis 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

*AchievedThis 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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*AchievedThis 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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