If you are having doubts about Visual Arts, hopefully this guide can help you! Visual Arts has always been my best performing subject since the start of high school and I’ve been blessed to have been taught by, not just one, but TWO HSC Visual Arts markers from Year 9 onwards. I worked my butt off in Year 12 to get a Band 6 for this subject and my hard work paid off (I got a 94!). My body of work has also been nominated AND selected for ARTEXPRESS 2018. So to those who think Visual Arts is bludge subject … you’re wrong. Here are my tips on how to gain a Band 6 in one of the greatest HSC subjects:
Time management in Visual Arts:
This subject involves a major (obviously) which requires quite a lot of your time during your HSC year. I probably spent around 40%-70% of my time studying and working for Visual Arts. Sounds crazy right? Since I was spending so much time for Visual Arts, I knew I had to get it together and use my time wisely during class for my other subjects. That way, my free time was solely dedicated for art. As for my studies, typically the ones on Monday and Friday were for my other subjects whilst the others were for Art. The time you spend for art should depend on how many units you do, if you have another major and if you have tutoring, extracurricular activities or leadership commitments. Also, remember to start early! No way you’re going to get a Band 6 if you finish your BOW the night before the due date.
Your ‘Body of Work’:
Your B.O.W is 50% worth of your external mark for art. Start early. Think of an amazing concept. Make everything work. Treat your B.O.W like your pet. More information on the body of work can be found in the ultimate B.O.W guide I wrote here.
Art criticism and art history (theory):
Don’t neglect your art theory. Just because VA is known as being a practical based subject doesn’t mean this section is irrelevant. Since the syllabus for Visual Arts is so diverse, you can do any artist in the world and any artwork. It is preferred to have four artists but if you can do three or six, then go for it! As long as you are able to connect the artists and/or artworks, you are bound to get a Band 6 for all your theory assessments. Once you’ve picked your artists, don’t go back. Do the same artists for your essay practice, half yearlies, trials and the HSC. Just keep on improving, adding in things and taking in feedback.
Memorise the same essay and change it up slightly to suit your question. There are six essay questions given in the exam. There’s a good chance that at least one question will suit you. Some good artists and artworks to do are: Pablo Picasso (Still Life with Chair Caning or Les Madamoseilles d’Avignon), Marcel Duchamp (Fountain) and Damien Hirst (The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living). Feel free to PM about the artists if you need any help or notes 
Your art teacher/s:
You either love them or you hate them. For me… it was a mix of both. My teachers always roasted the class as a way of motivating us to do better rather than complementing everything we do and we stop growing as an artist. During your HSC year, please listen to them. No matter how ridiculous their suggestions are for your work or how much of a stretch their interpretation of a work is, just listen to them. They know what they’re doing. They know how stressful Visual Arts is, so they will try everything in their might to help you. List all their suggestions. Understand their interpretations. Listen to their intentions. But if you still don’t like your art teacher … you always have the AN Visual Arts community to look up to
Your Visual Arts classmates:
Time and time again, every lesson my art teachers mention how the 2016 cohort came from different friendship groups yet ended up being really close at the end of their BOW journey. Stop having that mindset of grabbing that ‘1st in Course’ rank for art. At the end of the day, you and your classmates need to work together to push each other up. Your art class also ends up being the best support system during the HSC. I found myself befriending people outside my group. I think it’s because Visual Arts has such a diverse syllabus that we celebrate each other’s uniqueness and talents rather than tearing each other down because of marks and performances. Since everyone has a different concept and different strengths in art theory, make suggestions and build each other up. Your confidence will grow as your class strengthens.
Passion:
You chose this subject for a reason. It’s your last year of Visual Arts. Give it your all. Give it your best shot. Create the best work ever. Write the best essay ever. Your passion and love for the subject will be rewarded in the end. It doesn’t matter how much of a stretch your interpretation of a work is in Section 1. Show the markers what the work is all about personally and prove your damn point. It doesn’t matter how bad your artwork looks. Show the markers your concept and believe that its the best one out there.
Good luck everyone with their Visual Arts journey!
About the author:
Beatrice Tekiko is an outstanding 2017 HSC graduate. As a student, Bea has been incredibly helpful to peers on the ATAR Notes forums, and entirely dedicated to her studies. Visual Arts holds a special place in her HSC experience. Bea was selected for ARTEXPRESS 2018.
