Top Arts 2025

Annotations by

Deryck Greenwood – VCAA State Reviewer, Art Creative Practice

Kathryn Hendy-Ekers – VCAA Curriculum Manager Visual Arts, Media and Visual Communication & Design

Research and exploration

Jett has explored ideas based on personal interest using a brainstorm map to expand on several areas relating to the theme of ‘Emotion and the human body’. She created subheadings that were topics of his overall theme such as ‘love’, ‘identity’ and ‘connections’ and then wrote annotations of how she could represent those ideas in artworks.

Research and exploration

Jett researched one artwork by two selected artists that related to the ideas she was interested in exploring. She brainstormed ideas explored on emotions and the human body, by both the historical artist (Frida Kahlo) and the contemporary artist (Marina Abramovic). She responded to the ideas she wrote down with thumbnail sketches to show how she could visually represent those ideas.

Research and exploration

Jett researched one artwork by two selected artists that related to the ideas she was interested in exploring. She brainstormed ideas explored on emotions and the human body, by both the historical artist (Frida Kahlo) and the contemporary artist (Marina Abramovic). She responded to the ideas she wrote down with thumbnail sketches to show how she could visually represent those ideas.

Research and exploration

Jett considered the ideas relating to the issues that arise from the artwork or the practice of both artists. She wrote headings focusing on the art form the artist used, broader ideas such as censorship and feminism. These ideas came from her use of the Interpretive Lenses when analysing the artists work.

Research and exploration

Jett considered the ideas relating to the issues that arise from the artwork or the practice of both artists. She wrote headings focusing on the art form the artist used, broader ideas such as censorship and feminism. These ideas came from her use of the Interpretive Lenses when analysing the artists work.

Research and exploration

Jett researched one artwork by each artist she selected as inspiration for her own art practice. She identified the ideas explored by the artist, and any issues that arise from the artwork or the practice of the artist. She drew up a table listing each source about the artwork and some points she had made from his research of the source. She then analysed the artwork applying each structural lens. There are bullet points under each lens that form the focus of his points. These have been drawn from the definitions in the Art Creative Practice study design.

Research and exploration

Jett researched one artwork by each artist she selected as inspiration for her own art practice. She identified the ideas explored by the artist, and any issues that arise from the artwork or the practice of the artist. She drew up a table listing each source about the artwork and some points she had made from his research of the source. She then analysed the artwork applying each structural lens. There are bullet points under each lens that form the focus of his points. These have been drawn from the definitions in the Art Creative Practice study design.

Research and exploration

This is the research report that Jett presented for her selected artist Marina Abramovic. Jett has explained the ideas that Abramovic expresses in her work, what has influenced her and how ideas are represented in her work. He has analysed several works by Abramovic to show the diversity of her practice. She has applied the Interpretative Lenses to her discussion. Jett also discusses how the viewer responds to the artist’s works, how the artform reflects the ideas the artist is exploring and the artist’s use of visual language. She listed the sources of her research.

Exploration

Jett presented written and visual responses to her research using sketches to demonstrate her development of personal ideas. She has annotated each focusing on the subject matter and how it relates to Abramovic’s work.

Exploration

Responding to the research, Jett explored her own ideas through her use of the Creative Practice. She took a photograph of herself and then explored markers to create this work. She has annotated her processes and ideas below the artwork. She has highlighted the use of the Structural Frame when discussing the materials she used and the processes she might use to expand on the work. She was considering developing this work into a performance work.

Research and exploration

Jett documented her personal ideas in response to the ideas and issues she researched in Abramovic’s work. She discusses the further research exploration she will undertake by experimenting with installation work. She discusses aspects of the artwork she will explore to represent her ideas and create visual language. She refers back to Abramovic’s work to show the link. The colour coding in the intention identifies how his discussion links to the Interpretive Lenses.

Research and exploration

Jett broadly explored her ideas in different art forms to gain ideas for her own artwork. Once Jett decided on the context of her installation (in a kitchen), she then explored further ideas about relationships and emotions through film stills. She annotated the ideas that each represented and also focused on the Structural lens in her discussion.

Research and exploration

On this page Jett has explored some inspiration for the subject matter of her artwork. She has looked at illustrations of human organs to represent internal emotions in the body. She discusses how she will create artworks on a similar theme using these ideas.

Experimentation and development

Jett documented her ongoing exploration and experimentation of the making of her artwork using annotated photographs. She experimented with clay to model a brain that represents internal human emotions. She evaluates her processes and how effectively they have communicated her ideas. The images are dated to document her process. Further on in her folio, she describes how this sculpture became the feature of a video work.

Experimentation and development

Jett documented her ongoing exploration and experimentation of the making of her artwork using annotated photographs. She experimented with clay to model a brain that represents internal human emotions. She evaluates her processes and how effectively they have communicated her ideas. The images are dated to document her process. Further on in her folio, she describes how this sculpture became the feature of a video work.

Experimentation and development

Jett continued her exploration and experimentation of her ideas of emotions and the body by exploring a different art form. She took a photoshoot and then documented the contact sheet. She has highlighted images that best express her ideas. She has also analysed the use of materials and techniques and how they have created visual language. These photographs also formed the idea for Jett to make a video work as her final artwork.

Experimentation and development

Interpretive Lenses and visual language

Jett continued to document her ongoing exploration and experimentation using photography to develop her ideas. She selected a series of images from her shoot and further edited them in Lightroom. She applied the appropriate Interpretive Lenses, using art terminology, to reflect on personal ideas and their development of visual language. She comments on the use of light and the angle of the images that communicate her ideas.

Experimentation and development

Interpretive Lenses and visual language

Jett continued to document her ongoing exploration and experimentation using photography to develop her ideas. She selected a series of images from her shoot and further edited them in Lightroom. She applied the appropriate Interpretive Lenses, using art terminology, to reflect on personal ideas and their development of visual language. She comments on the use of light and the angle of the images that communicate her ideas.

Exploration and Experimentation

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett further experimented with Lightroom to explore her images. On this page she has applied colour to the images, and she has annotated the effect and style she wanted to achieve. Jett used appropriate Interpretive lenses (the Structural and Personal lenses) to focus her reflections, clarifying the decisions she made to achieve her visual language. She also documented the steps in the process she used to refine the images through screen dumps of the tools she was using and the changes to the image.

Exploration and Experimentation

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett further experimented with Lightroom to explore her images. On this page she has applied colour to the images, and she has annotated the effect and style she wanted to achieve. Jett used appropriate Interpretive lenses (the Structural and Personal lenses) to focus her reflections, clarifying the decisions she made to achieve her visual language. She also documented the steps in the process she used to refine the images through screen dumps of the tools she was using and the changes to the image.

Exploration and Experimentation

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett experimented with colour to refine the clay brain they modelled as part of their final artwork. Jett documented the process, describing the steps taken to achieve their intention. They explain the techniques of applying colour and its effects. Jett has evaluated the final artwork and how it successfully realised her intentions. Jett has demonstrated a broad approach to their art practice by exploring visual language (in particular colour) across two different artforms; sculpture and photography.

Exploration and Experimentation

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett experimented with colour to refine the clay brain they modelled as part of their final artwork. Jett documented the process, describing the steps taken to achieve their intention. They explain the techniques of applying colour and its effects. Jett has evaluated the final artwork and how it successfully realised her intentions. Jett has demonstrated a broad approach to their art practice by exploring visual language (in particular colour) across two different artforms; sculpture and photography.

Resolution, Evaluation and Reflection

Jett documented the resolution of their artwork presented as a photographic record of a performance placed into a repeated video loop. She explains and justifies her use of the Creative Practice to refine the work by explaining how the artwork represents her ideas drawing on the subject matter of the work. She also applies each interpretive lens to her discussion explaining how she applied it in the exploration and development of the work and how the visual language communicates her ideas in the finished work. Jett used a combination of artforms (sculpture, photography, installation and video work) that were explored individually in her folio.

Resolution, Evaluation and Reflection

Jett documented the resolution of their artwork presented as a photographic record of a performance placed into a repeated video loop. She explains and justifies her use of the Creative Practice to refine the work by explaining how the artwork represents her ideas drawing on the subject matter of the work. She also applies each interpretive lens to her discussion explaining how she applied it in the exploration and development of the work and how the visual language communicates her ideas in the finished work. Jett used a combination of artforms (sculpture, photography, installation and video work) that were explored individually in her folio.

Unit 3 Critique

Reflection and Evaluation

At the end of Unit 3 Area of Study 1 you must conduct a critique where you reflect on your use of the Creative Practice to respond to the ideas presented in the artwork you researched for Outcome 1.

For her critique Jett presented her use of the Creative Practice under a series of headings, each with a short paragraph, that highlighted the key aspects of her practice. She discussed her research of Abramovic’s artwork, her processes and communication of ideas about emotion and the body. Jett presented how she explored and communicated her ideas in response to the work in personal responses. Jett also explained the experimentation of materials and techniques that she undertook, her development of visual responses and visual language. She explained her resolution and presentation of a finished artwork by discussing the materials and techniques she used to make it.

The annotations, applying the all the interpretive lenses, throughout her Creative Practice has helped Jett to provide a focused discussion in their critique. Each section has an image to illustrate the annotation.

Unit 3 Critique

Reflection and Evaluation

At the end of Unit 3 Area of Study 1 you must conduct a critique where you reflect on your use of the Creative Practice to respond to the ideas presented in the artwork you researched for Outcome 1.

For her critique Jett presented her use of the Creative Practice under a series of headings, each with a short paragraph, that highlighted the key aspects of her practice. She discussed her research of Abramovic’s artwork, her processes and communication of ideas about emotion and the body. Jett presented how she explored and communicated her ideas in response to the work in personal responses. Jett also explained the experimentation of materials and techniques that she undertook, her development of visual responses and visual language. She explained her resolution and presentation of a finished artwork by discussing the materials and techniques she used to make it.

The annotations, applying the all the interpretive lenses, throughout her Creative Practice has helped Jett to provide a focused discussion in their critique. Each section has an image to illustrate the annotation.

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett created a series of questions to gather feedback on her critique. She documented the feedback responses and then reflected on each. She discussed how she would further develop her ideas, techniques and skills in Unit 4. She also explained how she would use visual language to communicate her ideas and how she intended to expand on them in Unit 4. Some of the discussion was focused on the use of art elements and principles, materials and techniques. She reflected on other artists that had been recommended to address her theme of body and emotions such as Cindy Sherman. She also discussed the art forms she explored such as photography and ceramics and how she would explore the materials and techniques further in Unit 4.

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett created a series of questions to gather feedback on her critique. She documented the feedback responses and then reflected on each. She discussed how she would further develop her ideas, techniques and skills in Unit 4. She also explained how she would use visual language to communicate her ideas and how she intended to expand on them in Unit 4. Some of the discussion was focused on the use of art elements and principles, materials and techniques. She reflected on other artists that had been recommended to address her theme of body and emotions such as Cindy Sherman. She also discussed the art forms she explored such as photography and ceramics and how she would explore the materials and techniques further in Unit 4.

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett summarised the feedback in one document. She discussed how the feedback would direct her future exploration and how her peers responded to the themes of her work. Jett’s reflection was also focused on her final video work and what she could do to further refine it. She explained the changes she could make to the structure of the video and what she could do to improve the visual language to communicate both ideas and meaning to different viewers.

Research and exploration.

The student has explored personal responses to a range of issues using a brainstorm mind-map to expand on several subjects relating to the theme of the ‘female experience.’

Jett demonstrated creative thinking to research and explore ideas as there are several ideas branching off from central themes of Beauty and Physical Health, Gender imbalance and Connections. This brainstorm map demonstrates how Jett’s ideas have evolved from her initial brainstorm when she was researching the theme of ‘body and emotions’.

Experimentation and development

Interpretive Lenses and visual language

While Jett documented their exploration of a range of art forms in Unit 3 such as Drawing, Painting, Photography and Video/Performance art, in these folio pages they used drawing to represent their ideas. For each visual response Jett has explained their ideas using the Interpretive Lenses. These provide a guide for her to focus on specific aspects of the images and how they communicate her ideas. She considers combining these ideas with further video work.

Jett describes how the artworks communicate personal ideas on ‘freedom and women’s rights’ (lower left image) or the use of symbols such as a goddess (upper right image) to represent ‘what it means to be a woman’. She describes the symbols used in each image, as she begins to develop her visual language. She references personal belief and experiences and also explains how the use of elements and principles such as colour and composition communicate her ideas.

Jett used critical annotation to describe how she selected and used materials such as fine liner, posca markers and gouache paint in her images and how they would like to develop the artworks further using these and other materials. For example, they describe how they could develop the drawing of a goddess into a painting.

Exploration and Experimentation

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett experimented with watercolour painting techniques. She documented the exploration of ideas, and the experimentation of materials and techniques used to create the visual response and described the steps she took to create the artwork. She used the lenses to focus Her reflections. The Personal Lens was applied in the critical annotations of image 5 and the Structural Lens in the annotations of image 6.

Jett found an image online that inspired them as she considered it represented best a private female experience. She discussed how the experience of drawing inspired her and described how the different art elements and principles, and techniques she used communicated her ideas. Jett also described their emotions at the time and how these influenced the style of her work.

Exploration and Experimentation

Interpretive Lenses

Jett took one of her drawings and developed it into a lino- cut. This demonstrates how she have explored a range of art forms in her Creative Practice as she previously explored video work, photography, installation and sculpture.

Jett documented their experimentation with printmaking. She provides critical annotation of her processes, explaining how the print requires alignment. For print #4 she discussed the different materials she used, such as newspaper (Structural Lens) to link the newspaper text to protest and media, and their theme of women’s rights and the feminist movement (Personal Lens).

Jett has demonstrated how a focused investigation of an art form can communicate ideas. Using the Personal and Structural lenses as a guide, Jett described how they took one of the images she created earlier in her folio and explored it further. She describes how the artwork represents her ideas of gender expectations and roles.

Exploration and Experimentation

Interpretive Lenses and visual language

Jett also completed a self-portrait shoot and spontaneously selected poses and compositions to express different emotions. The intention was to document a woman coming from a big night out was based on personal life experiences. Jett makes effective use of the Personal Lens to discuss her theme. She explicitly applied the Structural Lens to explain her visual language, using a constant symbol such as a mirror in the image to represent identity. Through these images Jett demonstrated how she has focused on the theme using a different artform and subject matter to other artworks that they have created, achieving breadth in their experimentation.

Exploration and Experimentation

Visual language

Jett used a photo shoot to explore their ideas. The photographs have different compositions and focal points to convey different ideas on feminism. Jett also used different lighting and settings on the camera to convey different emotions. The Personal and Structural lenses are used to explain how ideas are communicated. Specific photos linked to the discussion are identified by hightlighting the file number.

Having a contact sheet of thumbnails can provide an overview of how the subject matter was explored. Annotations can explain your intentions and any images you would like to develop or explore further.

Jett decided that the photographs really expressed their theme of femininity. The annotations document her thinking and her decisions, such as using a Photo Editing program to edit the images focusing on the use of art elements and principles, such as tone and colour combined with photographic techniques.

You can see the influence of the artist Cindy Sherman, an artist that was recommended through the feedback from her critique in Unit 3.

Exploration and Experimentation

Interpretive Lenses

Jett used a photo shoot to explore different ideas on feminism. The decision to use self-portraits was made to reflect on Jett’s personal female experience. She has indicated that this page was a significant development in her Creative Practice as she decided to focus on self-portraits.

Exploration, Experimentation and Development

Interpretive Lenses

Jett used different lighting and settings on the camera and edits in Lightroom to convey different emotions and ideas. The annotations of these images focused on the use of different tools combined with an evaluation of their effect on the image to communicate her ideas. Each technique is described step by step and there is an example of the toolbox from the program to illustrate what tool was used.

Jett also provided close-up images showing details of the artwork so they could discuss the steps they took and the effects they created. Look back at the inspiration Jett used and compare them with the contemporary approach taken to create this visual response.

In their evaluation Jett focuses particularly on the use of art elements and principles to convey meaning in the images. She applied the Personal and Structural lenses to explain how these ideas were communicated. The critical annotations not only document decisions but identify observations of things that need to be addressed when developing and refining the image, such as removing the reflection of the tripod from the mirror.

Unit 4 Critique

Reflection and Evaluation

At the start of Unit 4 you must conduct a critique where you reflect on your use of the Creative Practice in Unit 3 and what you will explore to develop and refine your Body of Work.

In their critique, Jett discussed the female artists that influenced her and inspired the approach they took in their own work. They describe the subject matter and themes of the artist’s work and how they express their ideas. Jett also described their own experimentation of materials and techniques and how they developed personal responses to communicate their ideas. Jett organized the information into clear headings and provided some thumbnails of their exploration and development of artworks to support their discussion.

Unit 4 Critique

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett provided her audience with specific questions that were answered during the critique. This is an effective way of ensuring feedback that you will find useful to refine and resolve your body of work.

The annotations, using the Structural and Personal lenses, throughout that Jett applied throughout her Creative Practice helped her to provide a focused discussion in their critique. Each question is focused on each Interpretive Lens.

Jett documented the feedback from their critique and critically reflected on the feedback. She provided an initial response to this in their folio and consider how ideas could be further developed in the Body of Work in Area of Study 2.

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett documented their thinking and presented a summary of their response to self-reflection and the feedback from their critique. They outlined their plan and how they intended developing and refining their body of work, relying on the Structural and Personal Lenses to focus this discussion.

Exploration, Experimentation and Development

Visual language

Jett continued to develop their ideas and visual language, documenting this through annotated drawings. Jet made very effective use of both the Structural and Cultural Lenses on this occasion to discuss the meaning of their images and explain her visual language.

In this example Jett used the Structural Lens to plan her work. Jett discusses the use of symbolic imagery in her artwork and the use of art elements and principles such as colour and composition.

Refinement

Visual language

Once she developed the idea for a finished artwork, Jett documented the refinement of this idea through annotated drawings. She evaluated the refinement of their body of work throughout the Creative Practice using art terminology in critical annotations. She made effective use of appropriate lenses to focus their discussion of the ideas and clarify her visual language. Jett identified the decision to use the chair as a symbol in their artwork as a significant moment in their process. She has also colour coded each drawing to highlight the lens. Colour is also a significant symbol to convey her ideas.

Refinement

Visual language

Jett breaks down the artworks she intends to make and analyses the use of symbolism in the work. She applies all the Interpretive Lenses to analyse aspects and provides detailed drawings of each component. She also demonstrates the composition of the work using the structural lens and thumbnail sketches and the figures and their poses focusing on the cultural lens.

Refinement

Visual language

Having refined the idea for the artwork, Jett began to resolve the components of the artwork by creating the chair ‘prop’ that would feature in the artwork. This found object was refined to achieve her intended visual language. She wanted the chair to be blue and have nails embedded into it to symbolise pain. The process of creating the work was recorded through photography and documented using critical annotations.

Refinement and Resolution

Reflection and Evaluation

Having resolved an aspect of the artwork, Jett began to refine the imagery and location using the chair as a prop. She took a series of photos with the model in the chair exploring different angles and compositions. After the photoshoot Jett refined the images using a computer editing program. She recorded this process using screenshots and provided annotated documentation in their folio discussing the tools that were used and the effects they created.

Refinement and Resolution

Reflection and Evaluation

From the contact sheet Jett analysed each image by applying the Interpretive Lenses. She explained how the image was refined and how it had evolved from her original intentions. She also explained how the image communicated her ideas and the meanings she wanted the audience to interpret.

Refinement and Resolution

Visual language

Jett continued to refine her artwork, exploring various ways for the model to interact with the chair, heart and brain props. Jett made use of appropriate Interpretive Lenses to discuss the meaning of their work and clarify the visual language she was using to communicate her ideas.

Refinement and Resolution

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett continued to refine their image using Photoshop. They recorded this process using screenshots and provided annotated documentation in their folio. This was a significant moment in the process, when Jett made the decision to replace the background with a flat contrasting colour. This was a final decision about how the artworks were to be presented as a series and connect with one another.

Refinement and Resolution

Reflection and Evaluation

Having resolved the image the Jett continued to refine their artwork by experimenting with and evaluating different surface materials. She explored different types of papers and how they affected the colours and aesthetic qualities of her prints.

Refinement, Resolution and Presentation

Reflection and Evaluation

Having resolved the three images that made up the artwork, Jett continued to refine how the images would be presented. Jett provided annotated documentation of her evaluation to justify her decisions. She continued to make explicit use of appropriate Interpretive Lenses to discuss the meaning of their work and clarify the visual language, including how the order of images impacted the narrative of the image.

Refinement, Resolution and Presentation (Context)

Reflection and Evaluation

You must consider the presentation and context of your Body of Work, and how ideas and meaning are communicated to a viewer or audience.

Jett documented, annotated and evaluated the refinement and resolution of her Body of Work. In order to fully resolve and present their finished artwork, the student used an earlier trial to experiment with mounting on foamcore board. Jett made the decision to mount the triptych on foamcore “to ensure stability and protection whilst also giving the print depth as it will sit slightly off against the wall.”

Refinement, Resolution and Presentation (Context).

Reflection and Evaluation

The decisions Jett made referring to the context of the work were documented. Jett explained that the photographs would be presented as an installation. The final presentation of the installation work would include the sculpture aspect (the three props) of the artwork and the three mounted photographs.

Jett made a safety consideration in terms of context, deciding to “display these on a short plinth so viewers can come close to the piece but without getting too close.” The plinths would be placed on fake grass as a reference to the location of the photoshoot. Jett also annotated the placement of the mounted prints in relation to each other to support a clear narrative connection.

Reflection and Evaluation

Jett provided an interpretation and evaluation of the finished artwork. On these pages Jett explained and critically evaluated the context and presentation of her Body of Work to communicate ideas to a viewer or audience. She also discussed the visual language in detail by explicitly applying appropriate Interpretive Lenses. She discussed the process of making the work, the ideas the work communicates and how she intends for the viewer to interpret the meaning of it. Using critical annotations, Jett evaluates her Creative Practice and discusses each component of the installation as a Body of Work.