Basic 5 · Creative Arts · Planning, Making and Composing
Artworks on Topical Issues in Africa
In this topic you will create your own visual artworks that reflect topical issues in Africa, such as galamsey, plastic pollution and child labour.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify topical issues in Ghana and Africa
- Plan an artwork that communicates a message on an issue
- Create the artwork using suitable media
What you already know
- Making artworks inspired by African artists
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Visual Arts &Performing Arts
- Sub-strand
- Planning, Making and Composing
- Indicator
- B5.1.2.3 – Create own visual artworks based on own ideas knowledge and understanding of artworks that reflect topical issues in Africa
Introduction
Artists use their works to speak about problems in society. A powerful picture can make people stop, think and act.
1. Topical Issues
Topical issue: A problem or matter that people are talking about at the present time.
| Issue | Possible artwork message |
|---|---|
| galamsey and polluted rivers | "Save our rivers" |
| plastic pollution | "Plastics choke our gutters and seas" |
| climate change | "Plant a tree, save a life" |
| child labour | "Children belong in school" |
| road accidents | "Speed kills" |
| drug abuse | "Say no to drugs" |
| unity and peace | "One Ghana, one people" |
2. Planning a Message Artwork
- Choose an issue and research it.
- Decide on your message in a few words.
- Choose symbols that represent the issue (e.g. a crying river, a tree, a school bag).
- Choose your medium: poster, painting, collage, sculpture or mixed media.
- Sketch your design and decide on colours that express feeling (e.g. brown and grey for pollution; green and blue for a healthy environment).
3. Using Waste Materials
For issues such as plastic pollution, using waste materials makes the message stronger. You could make a fish from plastic bottles to show how much plastic ends up in the sea, or a collage of sachets forming a map of Ghana.
4. Making the Artwork
Work neatly and make the main message large and clear. Use contrast so that important parts stand out. Keep words short and readable from a distance. When you finish, give your work a title and write an artist statement explaining the issue and your message.
Remember: A good message artwork is clear, simple and makes people feel something.
New words
- topical issue
- A current problem being discussed.
- message
- The idea an artwork communicates.
- symbol
- A picture that stands for an idea.
- mixed media
- Using more than one kind of material.
- contrast
- Strong difference that makes things stand out.
- poster
- A large printed or drawn notice with a message.
Summary
- Artists use their work to speak about issues in society.
- Topical issues include galamsey, plastic pollution and child labour.
- Plan the message, symbols, medium and colours.
- Make the message clear, simple and powerful.
Class activity: Issue Artwork
- Choose a topical issue.
- Plan and make an artwork with a clear message.
- Write an artist statement explaining your work.
You need: Pencils, Crayons, Old cartons, Manila paper, Kente, Adinkra samples
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a topical issue in Ghana?
- A. Galamsey
- B. Snowfall
- C. Volcanoes
- D. Desert storms
Show answer
Answer: GalamseyIt pollutes rivers.2. A picture that stands for an idea is a…
- A. symbol
- B. medium
- C. frame
- D. label
Show answer
Answer: symbole.g. a tree for nature.3. Using more than one kind of material is…
- A. mixed media
- B. printing
- C. drawing
- D. weaving
Show answer
Answer: mixed mediae.g. paint and collage.4. Art can be used to send a message.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIt makes people think.5. Message artworks should have long paragraphs of writing.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseWords should be short and clear.6. A strong difference that makes things stand out is ______.
Show answer
Answer: contraste.g. dark and light.7. Name two topical issues and a message for each.
Show answer
Answer: Plastic pollution ("Plastics choke our gutters"); child labour ("Children belong in school").Any two.8. Why is using waste materials effective for an artwork on pollution?
Show answer
Answer: It shows the actual problem and makes viewers see how much waste exists, strengthening the message.Medium supports message.
Homework
- Collect pictures of a topical issue from newspapers for your project.