Art Detective

Art Detective is a full-colour book that provides a carefully structured but flexible approach, introducing junior secondary students to the world of art.

In particular, it encourages them to become art critics — to go beyond their initial response to try to understand the artists’ intentions and some of the techniques they have used to achieve them. Through a wide range of activities, students also have the opportunity to try out in their own art some of the ideas learnt from their exploration of finished artworks.

The book includes a variety of artworks and artists, from Renaissance to urban Aboriginal art, from etching to sculpture. Almost all the artworks are in Australian galleries, including regional galleries, so that students have an opportunity to study not only a reproduction but the real thing.

Michele Stockley is an Education Officer at the National Gallery of Victoria.