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New
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Year 7

That's not art!

I can discuss different artforms and use mixed media to create an abstract artwork.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

That's not art!

I can discuss different artforms and use mixed media to create an abstract artwork.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Not all art is representational or permanent, some forms of art push 'traditional' boundaries.
  2. Abstract art does not depict a recognisable picture, place, person or object in the real world.
  3. Performance art happens live and is constantly changing.
  4. Ephemeral art doesn’t last forever. It is purposefully temporary and will change over time.

Keywords

  • Abstract - art that does not depict a recognisable picture, place, person or object in the real world

  • Ephemeral - art that is purposefully temporary, work that will change over time

  • Performance - an art form based on designed activities on film or confined to a time and place

Common misconception

Art should be something we instantly recognise and physically last a long time.

Art may not be a recognisable image and may exist only in a specific timeframe.


To help you plan your year 7 art and design lesson on: That's not art!, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Create your own abstract artwork to model to the pupils.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Colour paper, chalk, watercolour and oil pastels.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Mark-making is only used to depict realistic drawings.
True
Correct answer: False
Q2.
Complete the sentence. When artists try to persuade and influence others about an issue or cause, it is called ...
realism.
classicism.
Correct answer: activism.
modernism.
Q3.
The wide variety of marks of differing size, shape and density an artist can invent is called ...
Correct Answer: mark-making, mark making, markmaking
Q4.
Abstract art does not depict a recognisable picture, place, person or object in the world.
Correct Answer: real, actual, real-life
Q5.
Which statement is the most accurate?
Art should always be something we recognise and show a high level of skill.
Correct answer: Art should be something that expresses feelings, experiences and observations.
Art should be something that lasts a long time, made of expensive materials.
Q6.
How can art influence society over time?
by only providing entertainment
Correct answer: by challenging opinions and changing policies
by restricting freedom of expression
by ignoring societal issues

5 Questions

Q1.
Abstract art does not depict a picture, place, person or object in the real world.
Correct Answer: recognisable, realistic, accurate, real-life
Q2.
Match the term with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:ephemeral art,art that is purposefully temporary, work that will change over time
tick

art that is purposefully temporary, work that will change over time

Correct Answer:performance art,an art form based on designed activities confined to a time and place
tick

an art form based on designed activities confined to a time and place

Correct Answer:representational art,art that includes recognisable objects, people or places in them
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art that includes recognisable objects, people or places in them

Q3.
Which two art forms do not aim to be permanent?
abstract and performance
ephemeral and figurative
figurative and representational
Correct answer: performance and ephemeral
Q4.
Which statement best expresses the artistic benefits of performance and ephemeral artforms for artists?
Correct answer: These artforms allow artists to take risks and be creative without boundaries.
These artforms allow artists to work outside of the gallery in nice weather.
These artforms allow artists to make fun work without a serious message.
These artforms allow artists to create work for a gallery or museum display.
Q5.
Is the statement try or false? Art should be something we instantly recognise and physically last a long time.
True
Correct answer: False

Additional material

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