H2 Art

The H2 Art syllabus emphasizes developing visual literacy, critical thinking, and creative thinking through personal responses to art creation and appreciation. It builds upon skills learned in O-Level Art and consists of two main components: Studio Practice and Study of Visual Arts.

Studio Practice

Studio Practice focuses on the creation of artworks. Students refine their observation skills, learn to discern visual qualities, and express their ideas and experiences through various art media, including painting, sculpture, photography, stained glass, ceramics, installation, multimedia, and animation. The process involves research, experimentation, idea development, reflection, and evaluation. Preparatory studies are essential, helping students analyze issues and translate ideas into artworks.

Study of Visual Arts

This component complements Studio Practice by providing critical learning experiences. Students analyze and interpret artists and artworks within their social and cultural contexts, developing critical thinking skills such as description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. The content is organized under two themes:

Visual Arts and Representations: This theme explores different approaches to representation, including:

• Realistic Representations: Examining naturalistic depictions of space and form, including super/photorealistic and surrealist approaches. Artists include Rene Magritte, Ron Mueck, and Andreas Gursky.
• Abstract Representations: Exploring geometric and expressionistic abstractions, focusing on how artists use fundamental elements of art to express ideas and concepts. Artists include Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, and Constantin Brancusi.
• New Media Representations: Investigating the use of ready-mades and other media, including time-based media like film and performance, and how these challenge traditional notions of art. Artists include Marcel Duchamp, Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys, and Nam June Paik.

Visual Arts and Society: This theme examines art as a system for communicating social values, beliefs, and opinions, encompassing:

• About People: Exploring themes of identity and relationships, and how artists portray individuals and their connections with others. Artists include Lucian Freud, Ng Eng Teng, and Amanda Heng.
• About Society: Focusing on social commentary, and how artists address socio-political, socio-economic, and socio-ecological issues through their work. Artists include Dede Eri Supria, Tang Da Wu, and Yue Minjun.
• About Culture: Examining cultural commentary and how artists express their thoughts and concerns about cultural heritage, both as celebration and critique. Artists include Andy Warhol, Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi, Georgette Chen, Tang Da Wu, Anthony Poon, Han Sai Por, and Chua Ek Kay.