<< Which Artists? <<
Theme:
Structure & Balance, Colour, Shape
Medium:
Drawing, Construction Materials (card, wood, wire, string)
Artist:
Alexander Calder
In this pathway, suitable for ages 9-11, we explore the work of Alexander Calder. Calder created sculptures and mobiles using solid blocks of colour and simple shapes, exploring the relationships between the objects and lines.
This pathway encourages children to be intellectually curious about sculpture, and to develop their oracy skills. Children then use drawing as a way to deepen their looking, before progressing to explore mark making, colour, line and shape before they finally make their own sculpture.
This pathway will take approximately half a term, based upon a weekly art lesson.
If you use this resource in your setting, please tag us on social media: #InspiredBy @accessart (facebook, twitter) @accessart.org.uk (instagram) and share the url. Thank you!
Explore Alexander Calder & Make Mobiles
- Familiarise Yourself with Calder's Work
Alexander Calder: Sculpture & Mobiles
Explore these links to help introduce the work of Alexander Calder:
There is a beautiful film made in 1944 describing Calder’s work at https://calder.org/film/works-of-calder/
- Talk
Enable Children to Be Curious & Articulate
Choose one or more images from this page and discuss the work with the pupils.
If you need help to enable children to talk about sculpture see the type of questions you might ask here.
- Draw / Paint / Cut
Explore Line, Mark Making and Colour on Large Sheets of Paper or Card
At this point children begin work on their mobiles.
To begin, explore mark making with a variety of medium, making marks on a large sheet of paper, and then adapting the activity on this page… (you could also use paint or coloured card)
- Make
Make Your Mobile
- Reflect & Discuss
Share and Celebrate the Outcomes
