The Arts · Grade 7 · Visual Narratives and Studio Practice · Term 1

Art as Communication

Exploring how visual art conveys messages, emotions, and stories across cultures and time.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• VA:Cn11.1.7a

About This Topic

Art as Communication guides Grade 7 students to recognize how visual art expresses messages, emotions, and stories without words. Students analyze artworks from various cultures and time periods, noting symbols, colors, lines, and composition that convey meaning. This topic aligns with Ontario's Visual Arts curriculum, standard VA:Cn11.1.7a, and unit key questions on explaining wordless communication, comparing cultural symbols, and designing emotion-focused art.

Students build visual literacy by comparing symbols like the ankh in ancient Egyptian art for life versus the maple leaf in Canadian Indigenous art for resilience. They connect personal experiences to global perspectives, developing empathy and critical thinking. These skills support broader outcomes in visual narratives and studio practice.

Active learning benefits this topic because students create and interpret art collaboratively, turning abstract concepts into personal expressions. Peer critiques and group symbol hunts reveal diverse viewpoints, strengthen communication skills, and make cultural connections memorable through hands-on practice.

Key Questions

1. Explain how a visual artist communicates a message without using words.
2. Compare how different cultures use symbols in their art to convey meaning.
3. Design an artwork that effectively communicates a specific emotion to the viewer.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how specific visual elements like color, line, and composition in artworks communicate emotions and ideas without words.
• Compare and contrast the use of cultural symbols in artworks from at least two different societies to convey shared or distinct meanings.
• Design an original artwork that intentionally uses visual language to communicate a chosen emotion to a specific audience.
• Explain the process by which a visual artist makes deliberate choices to convey a message or narrative.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of an artwork in communicating its intended message based on established visual communication principles.

Before You Start

Elements and Principles of Design

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of elements like line, shape, color, and principles like balance and contrast to analyze how they are used for communication.

Introduction to Visual Art Forms

Why: Familiarity with various art forms, such as painting, sculpture, and digital art, provides a basis for understanding how different media can convey messages.

Key Vocabulary

Symbolism	The use of images or objects to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Symbols can vary greatly between cultures and time periods.
Composition	The arrangement of visual elements within an artwork. Composition guides the viewer's eye and can influence the emotional impact or message.
Visual Literacy	The ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. It involves understanding how visual elements communicate.
Iconography	The study of the subject matter and meaning of images, particularly the symbols and themes used in art.
Juxtaposition	Placing different elements side by side, often to create contrast or to highlight a relationship between them, which can convey a specific message.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Art symbols have the same meaning everywhere.

What to Teach Instead

Symbols are culture-specific, like the red poppy for remembrance in Canada but joy in China. Group comparisons of artworks from different regions, followed by discussions, help students uncover contextual meanings and avoid generalizations.

Common Misconception

Visual art communicates less effectively than words.

What to Teach Instead

Art conveys complex emotions instantly through visuals. Hands-on doodle relays where partners interpret non-verbal cues build confidence in visual language and show its power over time.

Common Misconception

Only professional artists can communicate through art.

What to Teach Instead

Everyone communicates visually daily via emojis or signs. Studio creation tasks with peer feedback demonstrate student artworks' clarity, boosting self-efficacy.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Cultural Symbols

Display 10-12 reproductions of artworks from diverse cultures around the room. Students walk in small groups, noting symbols, colors, and messages in sketchbooks. Groups share one key observation per artwork in a whole-class debrief.

35 min·Small Groups

Pairs: Emotion Doodle Relay

Partners take turns adding lines, shapes, or colors to a shared paper to convey a secret emotion. After 5 minutes, the drawer steps back while the partner guesses and explains visual cues. Switch roles and emotions twice.

25 min·Pairs

Small Groups: Symbol Storyboard

Groups select a cultural story, research 3-5 symbols, and create a 4-panel storyboard artwork communicating it. Present to class, explaining choices. Peers vote on clearest communication.

45 min·Small Groups

Individual: Personal Symbol Design

Students design a personal symbol for an emotion or message, then write a short artist statement. Mount and display for peer feedback slips.

30 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Graphic designers use principles of visual communication to create logos for companies like Nike or Apple, ensuring the brand's message and values are instantly recognizable.
• Museum curators analyze and interpret the symbolism and composition of historical artworks, such as Egyptian hieroglyphs or Renaissance paintings, to explain their cultural and historical significance to visitors.
• Political cartoonists employ visual metaphors and symbols to communicate complex social and political commentary to the public, influencing public opinion.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a printed image of an artwork (e.g., a protest poster, a cultural artifact). Ask them to write two sentences explaining one symbol used and one sentence describing the main message they believe the artwork conveys.

Discussion Prompt

Present students with two artworks that use similar symbols but from different cultural contexts. Ask: 'How does the cultural background of each artwork change or reinforce the meaning of the shared symbol? What does this tell us about how context affects communication?'

Quick Check

Show students a series of simple visual cues (e.g., a red octagon, a smiley face, a dove). Ask them to quickly write down the common message or emotion associated with each cue. Discuss their responses, noting any variations in interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do visual artists communicate messages without words in Grade 7 art?

Artists use symbols, color, composition, and line to evoke emotions and stories. For example, bold reds signal anger, while flowing blues suggest calm. Students analyze works like Frida Kahlo's self-portraits for personal narratives, then create their own, aligning with Ontario curriculum expectations for visual literacy.

What are examples of cultural symbols in art for Ontario Grade 7?

Indigenous Canadian art features the thunderbird for power; ancient Greek art uses the owl for wisdom. Students compare these in gallery walks, noting how context shapes meaning. This fosters cultural awareness and meets VA:Cn11.1.7a by connecting art to societal contexts.

How can active learning help teach art as communication?

Active approaches like symbol hunts and peer critiques engage students in creating and decoding visuals, making concepts concrete. Collaborative storyboards reveal misinterpretations early, while emotion relays build empathy. These methods improve retention by 30-50% per research, as students own the process and connect personally.

How to assess art as communication in Grade 7 visual arts?

Use rubrics for clarity of message, symbol use, and artist statements. Peer feedback forms evaluate interpretation accuracy. Portfolios with reflections on cultural comparisons provide evidence of growth, ensuring alignment with Ontario standards and key questions.