The Art Histories department runs core theoretical modules or projects for each of the courses at the Art School.
Students studying on the Foundation Diploma will learn about Modern Art and Design History and the social and theoretical contexts of the period. Through a series of lectures and seminars and regular visits to London galleries and museums you will be exposed to a range of different art and design works.
A combination of Art Historians and art practitioners will guide you through an in-depth understanding of the history of Modern and contemporary art and design and provide a unique insight into when, how and why certain artworks and objects were made.
Your learning will be supported through group tutorials and set tasks to write an essay that is intended to support your own area of practice as it develops. Library inductions and advice are arranged to enable you to carry out independent research and study. Moodle and on-line resources will aid your learning and provide you with the necessary tools, skills and confidence to go on to study at a higher level or work as a professional in art and design on successful completion of the course.
Students studying Fine Art BA (Hons) can expect to learn a detailed and materials-based approach to Art History, Modern Art History and Contemporary and emerging perspectives on Art History. The History of Ideas, a philosophical and aesthetic approach to art and art practice is a focus running through the course.
In this Zoom interview, art theorist and practising artist, Dr Oriana Fox, talks about the different art histories modules she teaches on BA (Hons) Fine Art.
Guided visits to galleries and museums will enhance your learning and provide you with an in-depth understanding of the historical factors which effect art making and its conceptual and curatorial contexts.
Assessment will be based upon essays, aural presentations and a final year thesis. All are thoroughly supported by workshops, one to one tutorials and special learning support where required. Library inductions and advice are arranged to enable you to carry out independent research and study. Moodle and on-line resources will aid your learning and provide you with the necessary tools, skills and confidence to work as a professional artist or researcher on successful completion of the course.
Students studying Fine Art MA can expect to learn Critical Aesthetics, an intensive course that seeks to examine creative practice from a philosophical and critical perspective. Lectures and seminars will introduce the various philosophical, ethical and political debates currently shaping art production.
You will be encouraged to participate in all areas of discussion and reflect on how your experience as an artist agrees with or challenges the theories introduced.
Assessment is based on an extended Critical Model Dissertation, a written piece that is intended to articulate the many factors which contribute to your creative practice. High levels of one to one support take you through a process of learning about the specific contexts that inform your work and the singular conceptual issues involved. The aim of the dissertation is to equip you with the conceptual tools needed to articulate your work within the professional environment. Library inductions and advice are arranged to enable you to carry out specific and advanced research to support your practice. Moodle and on-line resources will aid your learning and provide you with the necessary tools, skills and confidence to work as a professional artist or researcher or to go on to doctoral level study on successful completion of the course.
Here in a discussion recorded on Zoom, Andy Bannister, Fine Art Sculpture Tutor, explains more about the Critical Model Dissertation is and how it enables students to explore the complex web of threads that link their studio work to its various contexts.
Students studying Carving can expect to learn a detailed and materials-based approach to Art History (Antiquity to Modern), The History of British Architecture, The History of Style, and The History of Carving Techniques. Regular guided visits to architectural sites, historic houses and museums both nationally and internationally will enhance your learning and provide you with an in-depth understanding of the historical and technical factors which affect historic carving and its contemporary restorative contexts.
In this Zoom chat with Art Histories Tutor, Michael Paraskos, you’ll hear why experiencing architecture in person is crucial to understanding how a building worked as a living space at the time of its creation as well as today.
Assessment will be based on essays and a final year thesis all of which are thoroughly supported by workshops, one to one tutorials and special learning support where required. Library inductions and advice are arranged to enable you to carry out independent research and study. Moodle and on-line resources will aid your learning and provide you with the necessary tools, skills and confidence to go on to work as a professional carver on successful completion of the course.
Students studying Conservation can expect to learn a detailed and materials-based approach to Art History (Antiquity to Modern), The History of British Architecture and The History of Decorative Style.
In this Zoom conversation, Art Histories Tutor Viv Lawes discusses teaching the History of Decorative Style on the Conservation programme.
Regular guided visits to architectural sites, historic houses and museums both nationally and internationally will enhance your learning and provide you with an in-depth understanding of the historical and technical factors which affect conservation practice, conservation ethics and policy. Assessment will take the form of written essays all of which are thoroughly supported by workshops, one to one tutorials and special learning support where required. Library inductions and advice are arranged to enable you to carry out independent research and study. Moodle and on-line resources will aid your learning and provide you with the necessary tools, skills and confidence to go on to work as a professional conservator on successful completion of the course.