The visual arts are an integral part of everyday life, permeating all levels of human creativity, expression, communication and understanding.
See student artworks with artist statements here Grade 12 Visual Arts Artworks | 2020.
The IB Diploma Programme visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts.
Supporting the International Baccalaureate mission statement and learner profile, the course encourages students to actively explore the visual arts within and across a variety of local, regional, national, international and intercultural contexts. Through inquiry, investigation, reflection and creative application, visual arts students develop an appreciation for the expressive and aesthetic diversity in the world around them, becoming critically informed makers and consumers of visual culture.
The International Baccalaureate programme is one that I’ve come to love and mould my teaching around. One of my favourite things about the Primary Years Programme is the exhibition that has students collaborating with each other and mentors to create their own central idea and unit of inquiry to wrap up their elementary school learning journey.
In high school, as part of the Diploma Programme, there’s an art exhibition that has only ever left me dumbfounded by the talent of IB Art students! This year, exhibitions wouldn’t have gone as planned, but these students still deserve recognition for the incredible amount of work they have done over the course of their art learning!
Melinda MacKenzie | IB PYP Kindergarten
Read more about the IB Diploma Programme visual arts.
Every year, Grade 12 visual arts students have a chance to showcase their best artworks with an exhibition in the Loop gallery. This is usually the time to celebrate two years of hard work and great art-making. The class of 2020, unfortunately, was not able to organise one and the school community never got to see or experience the great work that they created.
Here is what some of the students and their teacher had to say –
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the 17 Grade 12 IB DP Visual Arts students on completing such impressive artworks, and planning such thoughtful and engaging exhibitions this year! It was so impressive to see how much you have all grown as artists, both technically and conceptually. I feel very honoured to be brought into your world, and into your inner thoughts. Your exceptional artworks reflect you, your aspirations, fears, concerns, victories and observations about the world that we live in. Thank you for sharing these ideas with me, and your audience.
Sadly, you never got the opportunity to display your 8-12 artworks to the public in April in the ISPP Loop Gallery. This was so disappointing for all, as you have worked so hard for two years. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 and the process of homeschooling, students had to create online virtual exhibition spaces and show external examiners how their work would be displayed and how this curation engages their audience, creates a narrative and purpose through their artworks, instead. There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into your work, I am incredibly proud of the artwork that you produced and the people that you are. I hope you are as proud of the work as I am of you.”
Ms Pia Blair | IB DP Visual Arts Teacher
IBDP Visual Arts was a spectacular experience that I will never forget. The course challenged me to centralize personal issues and perspectives by expressing my voice, creativity, and emotions. Visual arts created a safe and inclusive environment for me to feel comfortable in portraying my identity through a non-literal and abstract manner. I was able to recognize my strengths and weaknesses while experimenting with new techniques, mediums, and ideas. My positive learning experience would not have been complete without Ms Blair’s presence and motivation. She always pushes me to achieve the best outcomes and challenge me to dig deeper to create a bigger impact. Despite the stress and anxiety to complete my work before the deadline and meet my own expectations, the course truly enhanced my level of confidence, perseverance, and commitment.
My advice for future IBDP Visual Arts students is to be passionate about what you are aiming to express. Without interest, passion, or self-motivation, your artwork will not impact your surroundings and will become meaningless. There should always be a reason for every detail within your artwork. For instance, a particular colour, brushstroke, line, or texture. Without meaning nor reason, the artwork will be viewed as insignificant with no sense of identity. Lastly, I believe it is extremely important to narrate a story by using intelligent symbols and metaphors to allow the viewers to puzzle together my message.”
Chhinsy I | Grade 12 student
I loved everything about the IBDP Visual Arts class. Over the past two years, I’ve been able to experiment with a variety of mediums and challenge my own artistic skills at the same time. Visual Arts isn’t just about putting colours on a canvas, it’s about expressing yourself through shape, lines, texture, mediums, colours, and form. In a way, this class was a form of art therapy for me. I was able to relieve my stress, explore my emotions, and overall express myself visually, rather than through words. While creating my final exhibition, I had full control over every piece. Everything was open to my own imagination, and I didn’t have any restrictions on what I can or can not show.
I made a lot of mistakes over the past two years, but failure is what will help you succeed later on. A word of advice for future IBDP Visual Arts students: don’t be afraid to make a mistake and just experiment. Experimentation is crucial to finding your own style and to create one of a kind pieces. Creating pieces as such is no easy task, it takes a lot of time and perseverance. My biggest advice for future students is to never underestimate the amount of time it will take to make an artwork. Visual Arts is very time consuming and can be challenging at times when your creative juices aren’t working. However, what’s important is that you never give up and you keep trying.”
Vichita S | Grade 12 student
During the two years of IBDP Visual Arts, I have learned countless skills that are essential for my future studies and career. Time management is extremely crucial. Completing my process portfolio and artworks requires dedication and an excellent time management skill. Therefore, I see this as an opportunity for myself to build up on this skill in order to succeed in the future. Besides the ups and downs, being part of the art class also brings me positive experiences, such as learning new skills and developing my artistic ability. As an example, during the process of making new artworks, I had to think outside of the box, which means to think unconventionally and creatively. It is certain that there is no right or wrong in art. However, every aspect that is presented in the artworks must be rationalized and have a deep and subtle symbol. Apart from the skills and abilities developed in class, the school provided all art students a chance to attend the art exhibition in Bangkok to gain inspiration from professional artists. The Bangkok Art trip was the most enjoyable time I have ever had during the two years of IBDP Visual Arts.”
Oudom M | Grade 12 student
The IBDP Visual Arts course challenged not only my time management but my creativity. As someone who’s not very good with words, what I appreciated most from this course is that it allowed me to express myself in an alternate way. It pushed me to think out of the box and really reflect on the messages I wanted to address through my art pieces. For the future IBDP Visual Arts students, make art pieces that mean something to you and I promise you it will all be over before you know it, maybe, you’ll even miss it a little! Best of luck to the future ib students! You will survive!!”
Andrea C | Grade 12 student
I got a lot out of studying IBDP Visual Art. In addition to learning new art techniques I was also able to improve my analytical and presentation skills. It also takes a lot of time to create different art pieces so I was able to refine time management skills. These are all skills that I was able to use in my other subjects and that I will use in the future.
My suggestion to future IBDP Visual Arts is to finish most of your art pieces in Grade 11 so that you won’t have to rush and stress too much in Grade 12.”
Karina K | Grade 12 student
