Aboriginal Artist Research – Artworld Concepts

This three-page Aboriginal Artist Research Task provides students with a structured and respectful framework for researching and developing an understanding of an Aboriginal artist and their artistic practice.

Students select one Aboriginal artist and work through a series of guided research questions organised around the Artworld Concepts. The scaffold encourages students to investigate the artist’s practice, the ideas and contexts that influence their work, and how their artworks communicate meaning to audiences.

The structured questions support students in moving beyond simply collecting facts, encouraging them to consider the relationship between the artist, their artwork, cultural and social context, and audience interpretation.

Cultural Respect & Teaching Protocols

Teachers are encouraged to approach this resource with respect for Aboriginal cultures, communities, artists and cultural knowledge. When selecting artists and artworks, consider relevant Aboriginal cultural protocols, including appropriate use and acknowledgement of cultural material, Country, community and artist perspectives. Teachers should use reliable and culturally appropriate sources and avoid generalising Aboriginal cultures or presenting cultural knowledge as universal.

What's Included:

• 3-page student research task
• Guided research questions for investigating one Aboriginal artist
• Artworld Concepts:
  • Artist
  • Artwork
  • Audience
  • World
• Super 6 Comprehension: Questioning
• Structured spaces for students to record research and responses
• Student-friendly, print-ready format

Perfect for: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures connections, artist studies, Stage 4–5 Visual Arts research tasks, or introducing students to contemporary and historical Aboriginal artistic practices. The scaffold provides students with a clear pathway for conducting purposeful research while encouraging respectful engagement with artists, artworks and cultural contexts.