To ensure that my students are exposed to a wide range of artists and their artworks, each term we study a
new group of artists relevant to the term’s themes, techniques  and materials.

Rather than have each student study all of the artists, we share the load amongst the class. Each student
researches an artist and provides a page of notes which are copied and given to everyone in the class.

For something different, I decided to ask each student to create an ‘artist chook’ that
represented the style and works of the artist they had chosen.

The Brief

Thoroughly research an artist’s works and style then use the magic paper clay and papier mache hen
base to create a ‘chook’ that reflects the artist’s style. The chook should be
painted and decorated to further enhance the artwork, and to make the chosen artist recognizable.

Materials

•Papier Mache Chook
•Paper Magiclay
•Acrylic Paint
•Posca Pens
•Teddy Bear Eyes

The Process

•Select artist from list
•Research artist – look at as many of their artworks as
possible
•Analyse the artist’s style and produce a mind map showing your findings.
•Make design drawings of your ideas for the chook. Clearly document your ideas.
•Add
Paper Magiclay to the chook to create your design.
•Paint and decorate the chook.
•Make small holes in head and press in teddy bear eyes.
•Evaluate the success of your
Artist Chook.
•Write up the information for the gallery plaque to accompany your final design.

Assessment

Students’ backup work and final piece are assessed on how successful the chook is, how well the
materials and techniques have been applied and the quality of the research, mind-map and annotation.

Lesley Light, Beaconhills College, Village Campus
Suitable for Level 5