FA3ARTB: Art Studio 3b

Module code: FA3ARTB

Module provider: Art; School of Arts and Communication Design

Credits: 80

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Susanne Clausen , email: s.clausen@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Ms Karen Kramer, email: k.c.kramer@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 29 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This is an Art studio module that is supported by tutorials, group critiques, material sessions, weekly seminars, exhibitions, and a program of visiting artist lectures.  The aim of the module is to support and challenge you in the development of an independent, creative and critically informed art practice. The module encourages you to consolidate and develop particular (individual) interests and concerns through practical engagement in the studio and workshop areas, to prepare you for future public exhibitions and to state their positions as artists. You are further supported in the development of research skills relevant to both the development of an art practice and an understanding of its relationship to the broad field of contemporary art and to locate you practice both historically and theoretically. Through the visiting artist program you are encouraged to enhance your knowledge of career opportunities to enable you to plan and make effective applications for future postgraduate opportunities, employment, professional practice.  

You will organise regular exhibitions in the studio space and are supported in curating exhibitions outside of the department. You will be able to extend your professional experience through participation in organisational committees working on projects, such as events management, curation, marketing, fundraising and publishing. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Provide evidence of self-directed, purposeful experimentation and inquiry.  
2. Demonstrate an informed, effective and skilful use of materials, techniques and ideas.  
3. Show evidence of imaginative and critical engagement with relevant cultural and/or other contexts.  
4. Make an informed and considered selection of work that is effectively presented with appropriate methods.  
5. Reflect informed decision-making and development, with a clear position and sense of ownership in relation to the work, its context and intentions.  

Module content

Students will have the opportunity to extend and test the intellectual and technical skills established in previous years working with increasing independence on the development and evaluation of their studio artwork. Students will begin to take responsibility for their creative choices, analyse and propose solutions to creative questions raised. They will research and locate their work within the context of relevant historical and contemporary precedents. They will engage in research and planning - both independently and collectively - for their final show and the future. 

The studio module is supervised by a diverse group of academic staff with international research practices. Seminars and lectures draw on cultural topics of current relevance. External visits to internationally renowned museums are designed as a resource for you, with which students are encouraged to consider and establish the relationship to your own practice. 

Students will be trained to consider risk management and Health and Safety in the studio and will build their own study path selecting skills training and tutorials based on their personal interests and strengths.   

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The academic tutor and module convenors will guide you as you produce wor