What is abstract art? In this lesson for Ontario’s Grade 10 students—created according to the principles of instructional design—I walk learners through two examples in the National Gallery of Canada: Norval Morrisseau’s Artist and Shaman between Two Worlds (1980) and Barnett Newman’s Voice of Fire (1967). They might look very different, but their similarities will surprise you!

While researching, writing, assembling, and delivering the lesson I gave careful thought to the specific audience and their learning needs, producing a detailed audience analysis and lesson plan and a carefully-considered set of learning objectives.

A document title slide combining two close-up details of two paintings, one with three stripes in red and blue and the other with a brown-skinned figure wearing a colourful bird-shaped headpiece. The title reads Understanding Abstract Art.

Select the buttons below for copies of the lesson, learning objectives, audience analysis and lesson plan.

Lesson
learning objectives
Audience Analysis
Lesson Plan

Image captions and credits: Norval Morrisseau (Copper Thunderbird), Artist and Shaman between Two Worlds, 1980, acrylic on canvas, 175 x 282 cm, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, purchased 2006, accession no. 41869 (Photo: NGC); Barnett Newman, Voice of Fire, 1967, acrylic on canvas, 543.6 x 243.8 cm, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, purchased 1989, © The Barnett Newman Foundation, New York/ SOCAN, Montreal (2018) (Photo: NGC).