Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Carter and we're gonna be working together today on our lesson, Nature and symbolism.

We're going to be thinking about what is it that nature can communicate to audiences? Can we send more information as an artist to our audience through the types of imagery that we choose to use? And what types of images associated with nature could we use? You might want to start already thinking about, can you think of any symbolism that we use about nature in artwork? In order to do really well in today's lesson, all you need to do is have a good try at everything.

We're gonna be doing some hard thinking, but we're also going to be trying out some different techniques using clay.

We'll be planning some of the stages that we're doing and testing our ideas before we put them into the clay form.

You're going to need quite a lot of equipment today and I suggest that you check the lesson information for the equipment you need before you get started, so that you are able to progress through the lesson really, really effectively and won't have to wait and stop and pause and go and fetch things.

I know that you are gonna do really well today and we're going to have some excellent learning.

Let's get started.

By the end of today's lesson, you're going to be able to say, "I can create a ceramic tile embellished with patterns, which link to nature and various themes." I hope you're excited to get started.

I know I am.

For our learning today, we need to make sure that we know certain keywords.

So the first one is association.

An association is a connection between things that we make in our minds, like when we think of sunshine and holidays, and link those two things together.

Symbolism: when an object or image represents a bigger idea or feeling, it can help us to understand deeper meanings in art.

Embellish.

Embellish means to decorate or add extra detail to something to make it look nicer or more interesting.

And slip.

Slip is liquid clay, which is used like glue to join two pieces of clay together.

Our lesson today has got two learning cycles.

We're gonna start where we're gonna be forming a tile inspired by nature.

We're then gonna move on to embellishing ceramics with patterns and shapes.

Let's get started forming a tile inspired by nature.

What words might you associate with these images? People can create associations between nature and themes.

For example, the image of the shoots of fresh plants might remind you of growth, whereas the image of the apples which are rotting might link in your mind the themes of decay.

Artists can use these associations in their art.

Can you think of any times that artists have used nature to link to a theme? Okay, check for understanding.

True or false? Artists can use associations between nature and themes in their art.

Pause the video and decide if you think this is true or false.

Well done if you said this was true.

Artists can use associations between nature and themes in their art to deepen the meaning and communicate with the audience.

Some people think that imagery needs to be complex to create an association with a theme, but even simple images or shapes can create associations with a theme or an idea.

Okay, second, check for understanding.

True or false? Simple images or shapes cannot create associations with themes or ideas.

Pause the video and decide if you think that is true or false.

Well done if you said that that was false.

We can make associations between simple shapes or images with themes and ideas, so long as the image is recognisable.

People make a lot of associations with simple items like leaves.

It might be things like new leaves link to growth, leaves turning red link to seasons and change.

Dried or dead leaves might link to decay, and turning over a leaf can symbolise new beginnings.

You might have heard that phrase to turn over a leaf.

Can you think of any more associations with leaves? Over time, common associations can develop into an agreed meaning known as symbolism, which can easily be understood and recognised within a society or culture.

Can you think of any symbolism from nature, maybe from within your culture? These are some examples of symbolism, of leaves.

Olive leaves and branches can symbolise peace.

Tulsi or holy basil, which is a plant, is highly revered in Hinduism as a symbol of luck, prosperity, and good health.

The Adinkara symbol Aya, a fern leaf, represents endurance and resourcefulness.

And for the Inca people, the coca plant was sacred and called the "Divine Leaf." Can you think of any other symbols or symbolism associated with leaves? Okay, so for Task A, we're going to be forming a tile inspired by nature.

So form a tile in the shape of a leaf to create an association with growth.

So first, so for number one, draw out a shape template for your tile.

Think about what type of leaf you want to create and make an association to the theme of growth.

You might want to think about local plants.

There might be other plants from your culture that you want to include, or there might be something that you really enjoy the shape of.

Pause the video and draw out your template.

Well done.

How did you get on? You might have drawn something like this.

And Izzy shares, "I chose to create a template of an oak leaf as I associate oak leaves with strength and growing up, due to the acorn turning into a big strong tree." It's also worth noting here that Izzy's chosen to make her leaf around A5 in size, so half a sheet of A4.

So it's a really manageable size for what she's going to be doing with it later on.

Okay, so for our second task, you're going to create your tile using the slab clay technique.

This means you will need guide sticks, so these will help to make sure that your slab is the same thickness across the whole piece.

You'll need a rolling pin that needs to be easy to press onto the clay.

You need clay tools so that you can create the work you're gonna be producing.

A sponge, which will help you smooth edges.

Slip, liquid clay, which is used to glue together pieces of clay.

You'll need a piece of clay and you're gonna need natural forms. In order to create your slab, you want to start with your wedge of clay and you're gonna place the guide sticks either side of this.

The guide sticks need to be narrower than the width of your rolling pin, and then you press your rolling pin into the clay so that it goes over the guide sticks as well.

This prevents you pushing down further than the guide sticks and allows you to make sure that your entire slab is the same width.

You then want to use your template and copy that onto the clay.

You'll use a clay tool to just indent around the outside edge of your template so that you're left with an indented line across the whole of your piece of your clay slab.

You'll then want to cut the shape out and save any scraps of clay that you've cut away.

Use one of your sharper clay tools for this, but even just the modelling tools will work.

And then you need to smooth out that edge with your fingers or a sponge.

It might not feel like it's a problem now, but once clay is hardened, it can become very sharp.

So you just want to smooth that edge so that it's not going to be too sharp.

Pause the video and create your leaf-shaped clay slab.

Well done.

How did you get on? Did you enjoy using the clay? Lucas is evaluating this slab and says, "This is a successful tile as the slab has an even thickness and smooth edges." He also really likes the shape of the leaf and it's recognisable as an oak leaf.

Do you think your work has all that nice smooth edges and even thickness? Do you think it's recognisable as a leaf? Well done.

Okay, time for a teacher tip.

Cover your tile with a damp paper towel or cloth whilst you continue with the lesson.

Remember, contact with the air will begin to dry out your slab tile.

Avoid making your paper towel or cloth too wet as this will affect the structure of the clay.

So it just wants to be damp, just a little bit wet to provide moisture to counteract the air.

Moving on to cycle two now, embellishing ceramics with patterns and shapes.

Artists can focus on the mood that nature evokes, rather than its exact appearance, and these students are sharing their ideas.

Izzy shares, "When I walk into the forest, I feel calm and peaceful." Jacob says, "On a sunny day, I feel energised and happy." Sam includes, "I like watching the stars at night.

They make me feel peaceful and small." What kind of feelings does nature evoke for you? Okay, check for understanding.

True or false? Artists can only focus on the mood that nature evokes, rather than its exact appearance.

Pause the video and decide if you think this is true or false.

Well done if you said false.

Artists can focus on the mood that nature evokes, or look at nature's exact appearance, or they can do both.

Artists can embellish their ceramic work through decoration, which further expresses the mood associated with nature.

Artists might do this by adding: imagery or symbols, patterns, marks or textures or colour.

Which of the following is the least likely embellishment, which shares the mood with the audience? Is it A: imagery or symbols? Is it B: marks or textures? Is it C: patterns? Or is it D: size and weight? Pause the video and decide which of these you think is the least likely embellishment to share mood with the audience.

How did you get on? Well done if you said D: size and weight.

Artisans who've been inspired to use natural forms include: the Macmillan Amies studio who create leaf shaped tiles.

These are used either in homes or in commercial spaces.

Saz was a style of ottoman decorative arts in the 16th century Common Era, which was heavily inspired by nature.

You may have seen things like tiles that were produced in that era and incredibly delicate and beautiful.

Talavera pottery uses floral motifs within its designs and is very distinctive and popular for its beauty.

Acoma Pueblo Pottery feature embellishments inspired by rain, thunder, as well as the local landscape.

This distinctive work combines natural elements with geometric shapes.

Japanese Raku and Kyo-yaki pottery are inspired by natural forms such as cherry blossoms or leaves.

Modern ceramics still draws inspiration from nature.

Some examples of this include: Heesoo Lee, who employs glazing to imbue her work, with shapes and colours inspired by nature.

Zemer Peled, whose work combines many porcelain pieces to create larger sculptures inspired by natural forms. Hitomi Hosono is interested in translating natural beauty into her work.

And Kate Malone MBE, who uses natural forms in her large sculptural vessels.

I wonder if you can think of any other artists who are inspired by nature.

Maybe there are some artists local to you that you know about.

How could this tile create stronger associations with the mood of peacefulness? Jun shares, "We could paint calm colours onto the tile." That would definitely create a sense of peacefulness.

Alex adds, "I could build up swirling patterns in relief on the clay." Laura adds, "We could press natural forms into the clay to create texture.

That would definitely create new kind of emotions associated with the tile." Okay, so moving on to our practise task.

You are going to plan and add embellishments to your Task A tile to symbolise a chosen mood like excitement or peacefulness.

So task one, explore drawing patterns and shapes, which link to excitement or peacefulness.

Think about working quickly to explore shapes and ideas, and taking inspiration from nature to create your shapes.

Try not to overthink the designs that you create.

Often if you just try and picture a time that was peaceful in nature or maybe a time when it was really fun and exciting, although lots of sports take place outside and can be very exciting.

And then think about the shapes or imaginings, and almost just let your hand have a go at what it could create.

Think about if there are any natural shapes that you could include that help to create that link with nature.

Pause the video and get started now.

How did you get on? Did you find that once you started to think about all the exciting things you've done in nature or that sense of peacefulness you have when you're in nature, that you were able to create lots of different types of shapes and patterns? Well done.

Sam shares, "I created long, swirling patterns to represent peacefulness, ensuring that they never crossed.

I was more free in my drawings for excitement with more varied marks." She really has created a lot of different patterns on that design.

Did you come up with any that are similar? So for Task B-2, I'd like you to add or remove clay to embellish your tile with your selected patterns and shapes.

You could use clay tools or natural forms to remove or indent clay.

Now the clay tools with like a hoop at the top allow you to cut into the clay and pull it away.

And if you're using natural forms, you might want to just press them gently into the clay and then pull them back up so that you create that indent.

You could form shapes or coils with clay to create built up embellishments.

If you are adding to the clay, it is vital that you score and slip to join the clay securely.

Scoring means you're going to take a clay tool and cut into both the surface underneath and the clay you wish to add.

You are doing this to increase the surface area so that the slip can cover all of it.

You then gently add slip.

It doesn't want to be so much so that the pieces can move across the top of each other, like a thin layer of glue.

Think about how much PVA you would add when you are glueing things together if you're making a sculpture.

You then want to use a clay tool to gently join those two pieces together.

You want it to look like there isn't a join.

So you can see in the video here, quite a few of those tasks are being undertaken.

Some natural forms are being pressed gently into the clay.

Remember to think about the pressure that you are applying.

You don't need to push really, really hard.

You don't want the natural form to go through the clay.

You just want it to indent it slightly.

Clay tools are used to either press into the clay and think about the shape of the clay tool or to carve some of the clay out.

And then when joining, clay tools are used to score, slip is added, and the shape is joined neatly around the edge.

You could remove or indent clay, form shapes or coils with clay to create built up embellishments.

You should ensure you score and slip to join the clay securely.

Pause the video and give yourself plenty of time to create this work.

How did you get on? Did you enjoy it? You might have produced a clay tile that looks a little bit like this.

You may have said something like this about your work.

So Aisha shares, "I'm pleased with my tile, as it clearly represents an oak leaf.

I've embellished it with drawn marks, and I've imprinted natural forms and built up areas which I associate with an excited mood." She really has filled her tile really effectively.

Well done, Aisha.

Do you think your work is completed as well, or is there more you'd like to do? In summary of our lesson, Nature and symbolism, people can create associations between nature and themes, and artists use these associations in their work.

Associations can develop into an agreed meaning, known as symbolism, within a society or culture.

Artists can focus on the mood that nature evokes rather than its exact appearance.

Artists can embellish their ceramic works to create decoration, which shares the mood associated with nature with the audience.

Well done for all of your hard work today.

You've completed a lot of work and done a lot of hard thinking.

You should be really proud of what you've accomplished in today's lesson.

We did lots of work and you did really well.

I look forward to seeing you again in our next lesson.