Module Information

Module Identifier
AH31420
Module Title
Art in Wales
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 11 x 1 Hour Lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay, 2,500 words (50%)  Articulate ideas concerning issues surrounding the practice, collecting, presentation and writing on the fine and applied arts in Wales within an historical framework and against contemporary context.  50%
Semester Assessment Project, 2,500 words (50%)  Demonstrate, through primary research, students specialist knowledge, understanding and interpretation of an aspect of Art in Wales.  50%

Learning Outcomes



1.demonstrate, through writing and orally, a sound grasp of the history of art in Wales informed by a sociological, theological, political, and cultural perspectives (Aims: A, B)
2. discuss, in a reasoned and substantiated manner, the ways in which in Wales was linked to the broader history of the Western European tradition and the contribution made by a number of key figures (Aims: C, D)
3. assess and show an understanding of the role of writing on art in Wales in the formation of such concepts as Welsh art and Welsh-art history, with reference to specific texts (Aims B, E)
4. demonstrate a grasp of knowledge and understanding gained through the module, through research projects and primary-source analysis in an on-going development of constructing a history of Art in Wales (Aim: F)

Relation to assessment:
Objectives (1,2,3,4) by Project/Artefact Analysis
Objectives (1, 2, 3) by Essay

The Project/Artefact Analysis is designed for students to be able to demonstrate their specialist knowledge, understanding and interpretation of an aspect of Art in Wales through primary research. The essay gives the opportunity to articulate their ideas concerning issues surrounding the practice, collecting, presentation and writing on the fine and applied arts in Wales within an historical framework and against the contemporary context.

Aims

The aims of the module are to:

A. to examine the history and practice of the fine and applied arts and visual culture in Wales since the 18th century (produced by artists in Wales and by Welsh artists working outside Wales) with reference to British and European art during the same period
B. to account for the emergent artistic culture and consider the significance of patronage and collecting, art education, museums and institutions, and artists? groups in Wales in the context of the political, economic and social climate
C. to focus on key artists and groups as exemplars of either a unique contribution to, or general trends in, art in Wales and study manifestations of art and visual culture against the background of Welsh culture generally, with particular reference to the revivals of religion and national consciousness
D. to consider the influence or adaptation of English, European and American traditions by specific Welsh artists from the 18th century to some of the most recent examples of art practice in Wales
E. to examine the practice of writing on art in Wales especially in relation to the late nineteenth-century agenda for Welsh art and art history, and recent texts dealing with notions of Welsh art and art and nationality
F. to engage in primary source research, artefact and textual analysis using the collections of the School of Art and National Library of Wales

Content

The module (AH31420) examines the history and practice of the fine and applied arts in Wales since the 18th century. It focuses on the emergent artisitc culture in the context of the historical , political, social and religious history of Wales. It seeks to bring together visual artefacts with historical literature, including the growing body of contemporary research, with the intention of presenting both a general overview and a specialised insight into specific aspect of the subject. Fine and applied art made by Welsh artists (both in Wales and abroad), and by immigrant artists working in Wales, are studied in their European context. Key artists are discussed as exemplars of either a unique contribution to, or general trens in, art in Wales. The influence or adaptation of English, European and American traditions by specific Welsh artists is also examined, as well as some of the ost recent examples of art practice in Wales. The module also covers patronage and collecting, art education and institutions, and artists' groups in Wales. In particular, it examines writing on art in Wales dealing with notions of Welsh art and art and nationality. Lectures and seminars will be drawn from the following:

Art and National Revival

Culture and Society in 18th and 19th Century Wales.
Unearthing the Past: The Late 18th and 19th Century Antiquarian, Archaeological and Historical Study of Art in Wales from the Celtic to Pre-Reformation Period
Late 19th and Early 20th Century Speculations ont he Ideal Welsh Art
Acquisition and Attainment: Collecting for the Nation, the Davies Sisters and Gregynog
History in the Making: A Historiography of Art in Wales since 1900
Contemporary Research on the History of Art in Wales

Art and the Welsh Landscape

The 18th and 19th Century Topographical View
The Collection of Prints and Paintings at the National Library of Wales (Field Study)
Richard Wilson and the Classical Landscape Tradition
Making the Wilderness smile: Thomas Johnes of Hafod
A Prospect of Wales: The Photographic View
The Italianate in Wales: Clough Williams Ellis at Portmeirion
The Neo- Romantics in Wales: Graham Sutherland to John Elwyn
A Search for Wales: Kyffin Williams

Portraits and Prospects

Patronage and Society: Portrait Painting and Statuary from the Early 19th to the Early 20th Centuries
Augustus John and the London-Welsh Painters
The Swansea Contribution: Ceri Richards, Fred Janes, Dylan Thomas et al
A Search for Fame: the 56 Group Wales
Art and Industry: the South Wales' Landscape in the Late 18th and 19th Centuries
A Search for Wales 2 : Josef Herman and Will Roberts
George Chapman's Rhondda
Mining and Religion: Nicholas Evans
Art and Industry: Miner Artists
Dropping In and Dropping Out: the Craft Revival and Studio Pottery in Wales




Transferable skills

  • Independent project work
  • Project / Artefact Analysis and Interpretation Essay Seminar Preparation
  • IT and information handling
  • Word Processing Internet Searches and Information Retrieval Database handling
  • Writing in an academic context
  • Project / Artefact Analysis and Interpretation Essay
  • Oral discussion and presentation
  • Seminar Discussions and Presentation
  • Careers need awareness
The module is relevant to students considering museum work, art gallery administration or in public art organisations, or as a freelance curator and exhibition organiser in Wales.


Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6