December 2004
This is a list of a variety of books all of
which have innovative interesting ways of looking at art.
Please Note All prices
are in Australian dollars and include 10% GST. However this
GST does not apply to exports from Australia.
Send orders to Austral Ed by post, fax or by
email. Payment can be made with Bank cheques in Australian dollars,
by direct bank transfer or by credit card. Freight is sent by the most
economical method, depending on urgency.
Recommended by Kate Shepherd
Picture This Perception & Composition by
Molly Bang pb $29.95
A brilliantly simple introduction to visual
structure and composition centred round the fairy tale of Little Red Riding
Hood. Molly Bang is a children's book illustrator and she uses simple
cutout shapes to tell the story and at the same time she discusses the
difference to the picture if another shape or colour or position on the
page is used.
It is fascinating reading for adults or secondary students and the ideas
could easily be adapted for use with primary students.
Look! Zoom in on Art! by Gillian Wolfe pb $16.95
This
is an exceptional book which encourages us to look carefully at paintings
and makes us think about the different ways artists paint when they attempt
to portray perspective, movement, emotion and many other complex ideas. (8
- 15 years)
Linnea in Monet's Garden by
Christina Bjork & Lena Anderson hardback $24.95
This book
tells the story of a little Swedish girl, Linnea, entranced by flowers
and the paintings of Monet and of her
journey to Paris where she visits the galleries and Monet's house and gardens
at Giverny. Lots of information about Monet's life and discussion about
his paintings is included in the text and there are also many reproductions
of paintings, photos and illustrations. This is a captivating story
which can be read aloud to young children, even as young as five or six. (Primary)
Looking at Pictures An
introduction to art for young people through the collection of the National
Gallery by Joy Richardson hardback $35.00
Very detailed look
at some of the pictures by the great artists of the 15th to 19th centuries. Joy Richardson explains
differences in style, influences, approaches techniques, themes and narrative
features of many of the pictures. Her commentary gives an insight into
the many beautiful illustrations. For middle and upper school students.
D is for Doufou: An Alphabet Book of Chinese Culture by
Krach Maywan Shen illus by Hongbin Zhang pb $24.95
An exceptional
book which gives an insight into the pictographic nature of the Chinese
language through 25 Chinese words and phrases. It gives
a fascinating historical and cultural background through well known words
such as kungfu, feng shui or more complex words like "ai" meaning "love" where
the explanation shows some of the cultural differences between Chinese and
western ways of thinking. Wonderful illustrations in the style
of Chinese folk art. (9 years up)
Picture the World: Children's Art around
the Globe by Tracy V Spates hardback $49.95
Tracy Spates wanted
children to be able to relate readily to their peers round the world
through art. She wanted children
to be able "to see in the artistic expression of other young people things
that are familiar and things that are unique and different." The
book features a number of art works from children of different ages and
from eight different countries. The art work presents an opportunity
for storytelling and discussing similarities and differences between cultures
as well as a chance to focus on familiar and new ways of being creative. There
are maps of each country and photographs of people, places and folk art
to provide an introduction to the country and people. At the end
of each section, there is also a hands-on step-by-step art activity. Countries
included are Japan, Ecuador, India, Russia, Kenya, USA and Vietnam. (10
- 14 years)
Discover other Cultures series by Meryl Doney pb $17.95 each
Festivals
around the World Musical
Instruments around the World
Masks around the World Papercraft
around the World
Puppets around the World Toys
and Dolls around the World
An excellent source of practical information
on crafts from around the world. Background cultural information on
the crafts is given as well as step by step instructions on how to make puppets,
masks, paper etc. (This series was originally published as World Crafts.)
(8 - 13 years)
Traditions Around the World series edited by James Kerr pb 22.95
each
Body Decoration Masks
Costumes Musical
Instruments
Jewellery and Accessories
This series is more descriptive with
fewer practical examples of crafts to make but contains interesting examples
of traditions
from round the world. It is levelled at a higher age range than the
Discover other Cultures series. (10 -
14 years)
World Art and Culture series hardback $39.60
each
African Art and Culture Indian
Art and Culture
Japanese Art and Culture Mexican
Art and Culture
A wide ranging look at the culture of these
countries through their architecture and art and crafts over the ages. (11 -
16 years)
Inspirations: Art Ideas for
Primary and Middle Years by Ann
MacArthur pack
$59.95
This newly produced pack contains a marvellous range of
images of contemporary, modern and traditional artworks from Asia. On
the back of each image there is background information as well as suggestions
for looking and making activities for students, for discussion and for
cross-curricular activities. The specific arts activities have
a variety of approaches designed to support different learning styles. Images
include works from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Persia,
Philippines and Vietnam. (11 years up)
Visions by Rob Watson pb $27.20
This is an extremely
helpful book which introduces secondary students to a range of Asian styles
and techniques which have had
an influence on European and Australian art and performance. It looks
at various artists and the cultural influences behind their work, incluidng
a textile designer from Indonesia, a Japanese print maker, Balinese painting
and Chinese calligraphy. Many practical activities are suggested giving
students the opportunity to apply these Asian techniques and ideas to their
own work.
Look Again! An Appreciation of Art by
Donald Williams pb $32.95
An excellent introduction to help
students look at art with a perceptive eye. Discusses and asks questions about colour,
shape, space, portrait, self-portrait, children in art and making a living. All
the examples used are from Australian art. It is a textbook but also
is a good reference. (Upper primary - Lower secondary)
In Our Own Image: Story of Australian Art
1788 - 1989 by Donald Williams pb
$55.45
A very readable and interesting outline of the
development of Australian painting, sculpture and architecture from European
settlement to the present day. It also looks at traditional and contemporary
Aboriginal art. It is a textbook but also is a good reference. Many
colour reproductions and fascinating examples given. (Middle
- Upper Secondary)
Australian Indigenous Art Pack $71.95
This art pack contains 12 xA3 full colour prints
of artworks from three contemporary indigenous artists, Jack Wunuwun, Michael
Nelson Jagamara and Lin Onus. Some of the artworks are in the tradition
design while are more modern. A Teachers Manual giving background information
on each of the artists and on the 12 images is included. (Upper
Primary - Senior School)
Australian Landscapes Art pack 1788 -
21st century $65.95
This art pack contains 12 A3 art prints of a
variety of Australian landscapes by Australian artists, including well known
artists such as Albert Namatjira, Russell Drysdale, and Fred Williams. The
prints show interesting changes in the way artists viewed and portrayed the
often stark Australian landscape. Teachers notes on the back of each
print include information on the artist and work as well as activity ideas. (Upper
Primary - Senior School)
All prices are in Australian dollars.
If you would like to order any of the
above books, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or email.
For additional lists of recommended books and newsletters from Austral
Ed, visit our website www.australed.iinet.net.au
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