Nature and symbolism | Art and design | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

When an artist wants to connect their artwork to nature, which of these is the best method?
- Using only black and white colours
- Including natural shapes, textures, and materials ✓
- Painting only man-made objects
- Avoiding any outdoor inspiration
Match the natural element with its most suitable association
- Rotten fruit
  
  ⇔
  
  Symbol of decay or death. ✓
- Water
  
  ⇔
  
  Represents fluidity and movement in art. ✓
- Roots
  
  ⇔
  
  Symbolise stability and networks. ✓
- Textures
  
  ⇔
  
  The surface quality of natural materials, like leaves or bark. ✓
- Leaves and branches
  
  ⇔
  
  Represent growth and change ✓
- Mountains
  
  ⇔
  
  Represent strength, permanence, and endurance. ✓
What does symbolism in art typically refer to?
- The use of abstract shapes and forms
- Using objects or elements to represent deeper meanings ✓
- The technical skills an artist uses in their work
- The realistic depiction of a subject
A butterfly in art is commonly used to symbolise:
- Freedom and transformation ✓
- Wisdom and learning
- Danger and aggression
- Time
Match the natural element with its most suitable association
- Skull
  
  ⇔
  
  Mortality and the fleeting nature of life ✓
- Dove
  
  ⇔
  
  Peace, innocence, or love ✓
- Oak Tree
  
  ⇔
  
  Strength, resilience, and eternity ✓
- Water
  
  ⇔
  
  Purity, fertility, and flow of life ✓
When an artist embellishes a sculpture, they might:
- Smooth out the rough edges to make it more minimal
- Add decorative textures, ornaments, or details to the surface ✓
- Cut away large parts of the sculpture to make it smaller
- Use only one material for simplicity

Exit quiz

What is the main purpose of slip in ceramics?
- To create a shiny surface
- To join pieces of clay together ✓
- To smooth the surface of the clay
- To add colour to the clay
Artists can focus on the moods and ideas that ______ evokes, rather than just depicting a landscape scene.
- 'nature' ✓
Match the clay techniques with the descriptions
- Slabbing
  
  ⇔
  
  Rolling out flat pieces of clay and creating clay work using slabs ✓
- Embellishing
  
  ⇔
  
  Adding decorative elements, such as designs, to enhance a piece ✓
- Building patterns
  
  ⇔
  
  Creating patterns on the clay surface by removing or adding material ✓
- Building textures
  
  ⇔
  
  Adding clay to the surface to create texture or pattern, such as coils ✓
Do only complex images create strong associations in art?
- Yes, simple images lack meaning.
- No, even simple shapes and symbols can hold deep meaning. ✓
- Only when combined with text.
What is an example of a simple shape that carries strong associations?
- A square with intricate patterns
- A detailed painting of a landscape
- A circle representing unity or eternity ✓
Match the keyword with its definition:
- association
  
  ⇔
  
  a connection between things that we make in our minds ✓
- symbolism
  
  ⇔
  
  when an object, or image represents a bigger idea or feeling ✓
- embellish
  
  ⇔
  
  to decorate or add extra details to something ✓
- slip
  
  ⇔
  
  liquid clay used like glue to join two pieces of clay together ✓

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Nature can represent themes such as growth, decay, rebirth, and spirituality.
Artists can focus on the moods and ideas that nature evokes, rather than just depicting a scene.
Artists can use natural materials like wood, stone, and clay to create their works.

Common misconception

Only complex images or shapes can create associations.

Simple images or shapes can create associations to themes or ideas.

Keywords

Association - a connection between things that we make in our minds, like when you think of sunshine and holidays together
Symbolism - when an object, or image represents a bigger idea or feeling, it can help us understand deeper meanings in art
Embellish - to decorate or add extra details to something to make it look nicer or more interesting
Slip - liquid clay used like glue to join two pieces of clay together