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British painting and sculpture – HearSay

English B2

Explore the diverse world of contemporary British art while expanding your cultural vocabulary. Enjoy listening and speaking practice on the go as you discuss iconic masterpieces.

Lessons

Modern British sculpture
Eleanor and Julian discuss famous British sculptors like Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor at a gallery.
Vocabulary
- a sculpture (a 3D artwork)
- an installation (a large-scale artwork)
- a void (an empty space)
- contemporary (modern)
- reflective (mirror-like)
- a dimension (a measurable extent)
Objectives
- Discuss contemporary sculpture
- Express opinions on public art
Exploring negative space
Julian explains Rachel Whiteread's unique approach to capturing absence in her artwork.
Vocabulary
- a cast (a moulded copy)
- an absence (a lack of something)
- avant-garde (experimental and innovative)
- to mould (to shape a material)
- a boundary (a dividing line)
- a shape (an external form)
Objectives
- Describe abstract concepts
- Explain artistic techniques
Contemporary British painting
Eleanor shares her thoughts on Peter Doig and the array of modern British painters.
Vocabulary
- figurative (representing form from life)
- a landscape (a painting of nature)
- dreamlike (surreal)
- a texture (a surface quality)
- a canvas (a painting surface)
- an aesthetic (a guiding artistic principle)
Objectives
- Analyse painting styles
- Describe texture and mood
Themes of national identity
The two discuss how the Young British Artists and Pop Art shaped modern British art.
Vocabulary
- a movement (a group with shared artistic ideas)
- visionary (imaginative and foresightful)
- empirical (based on observation)
- an identity (a sense of self)
- a discourse (a formal discussion)
- the heritage (the cultural history)
Objectives
- Discuss historical art movements
- Evaluate cultural impact
Photorealism and portraits
Julian and Eleanor attend a Kelvin Okafor exhibition and marvel at the intricate details.
Vocabulary
- photorealistic (extremely detailed and lifelike)
- a portrait (a painting of a person)
- an observation (a close study)
- intimate (private and personal)
- a technique (a specialized method)
- an exhibition (a public display of art)
Objectives
- Critique artistic precision
- Discuss the art of portraiture