Art & Design – Ceramics (assessed for Entry 3)Example theme: Faces

AC1.1 Select a range of references and resources to support ceramics work.

The pupil has selected a good range of appropriate references for the work undertaken including Venetian masks, Cubism and Chinese pinch pots.

AC1.2 Produce visual and / or tactile records of observations and experiences relating to a task or theme.

There is ample evidence of the pupil's own visual and written observations. However, the use of simple ceramic materials or even plastercine for some of the work would have enhanced this area of investigation.

AC1.3 Identify the influence of artists, craftspersons and / or designers on their own practice.

This example clearly shows the influence of Picasso's cubist style on preparatory workand on the final outcome.

AC2.1 Select and handle materials, tools and techniques appropriate to ceramics.

AC2.2 Use visual elements in practical work, such as: colour; pattern; texture; line; shape; form; space; tone.

The pupil has gained experience using two dimensional materials, tools and techniques,as well as using a number of the visual elements throughout the course.However, those techniques specific to ceramics, such as slabbing, carving, moulding, etc., as well as the visual elements of shape, form and space, which are particularly important for this area of study, are only evident in the three final outcomes.

AC2.3 Develop ideas for a ceramic outcome, modifying work as needed.

There is evidence of development and modification of ideas.However, once again the use of ceramic processes during the development ofideas would have enhanced the work, and probably benefited the outcomes.

AC3.1 Use ceramic processes to produce an outcome in response to a task or theme.

AC3.2 Present a resolved ceramics outcome with some consideration of refinement.

The pupil has produced three separate ceramic outcomes in response to the chosen theme.Each of them displays a degree of refinement.

General Comments

An ambitious unit of work covering three separate topics within the theme of 'Faces' - Venetian carnival masks, Picasso's Cubist portraits and Chinese pinch pots. The pupil has collected good references and has obviously benefited from a variety of art experiences whilst developing ideas for the three successful outcomes.However, the amplification of content within the specification states that “Althoughother materials, tools and techniques will be used during the course, particularly during research, the emphasis should be on ceramic processes”. Even though a variety of ceramic processes have been used to produce the final outcomes, there is a lack of ceramic experiences as the work has progressed. As already noted the mainareas of concern are AC1.2, AC2.1, AC2.2 and AC2.3. With more emphasis on ceramic processes and perhaps less work in other areaswhere evidence has been duplicated, this would be a strong Entry 3.