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AQA GCSE Art Themes 2026
This Artist Bank presents artists that engage with all the AQA GCSE Art themes this year: Nature Contrasts Time Books Interiors Appearance Movement [I will be updating this regularly, but wanted to post this as a work in progress if it helps other art teachers who are preparing resources for their students.] +++++++ [This post exists within an organic archive, the contents of this post is not fixed at the time of its publication but will grow as more and more artists are adde

Luke Kandiah
Jan 21 min read


Tracking the Moments That Matter: A Tool I Built for Teachers
Student Cortex TES Promo Video Why I Built The Student Cortex In every lesson, teachers register dozens of moments that matter. As teachers we notice who is engaging, who is stretching themselves, and who is quietly focussing beyond the more confident voices in the room. These moments shape the relationships at the very core of teaching. The challenge is not recognising them; it’s keeping track of them. With twenty or thirty students in a lesson, observations accumulate quick

Luke Kandiah
Dec 30, 20254 min read


100 Creative Challenges
This is a curated bank of Art Processes designed to enrich and diversify GCSE and A-Level sketchbooks.

Luke Kandiah
Oct 20, 20251 min read


Upgrade your Teaching - 33 Free Websites for the Artist Teacher
Gathered here are a select few hidden-gem websites that can make planning, teaching, and creating far more inspiring for art teachers. Click the buttons to visit the websites & bookmark them to add these tools to your arsenal to spark ideas, support classroom practice and upgrade your lessons. Websites are rated based on how situational they are. From * - highly situational, to ****** - I use this every day. Teaching Materials: Canva: As an art teacher, you have the opportu

Luke Kandiah
Oct 5, 20256 min read


24 HOURS - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of '24 Hours'. Exploring 24 Hours This artist bank explores how different practitioners respond to the theme of twenty-four hours, capturing the shifting moods, colours and rhythms of a single day. From the glow of early morning light to the bustle of midday and the quiet intensity of night, artists find countless ways to show how time shapes both our surroundings and our emotions. Some focus on the natural wor

Luke Kandiah
Sep 25, 20251 min read


BALANCE - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Balance'. Exploring Balance The concept of balance is broad and open to interpretation. It could represent physical balance, compositional balance or even emotional balances. In contemporary art, this dynamic theme prompts creators to investigate its essence through various innovative mediums. This collection features a diverse array of contemporary artists who engage with the theme of balance in unique an

Luke Kandiah
Sep 25, 20251 min read


STREET - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Street'. Street The concept of street, symbolizing connectivity, community, and cultural expression, has consistently inspired artists around the globe. In contemporary art, this dynamic idea remains a focal point, encouraging creators to delve into its core through a variety of innovative mediums. This collection showcases a diverse array of contemporary artists who engage with the theme of the street in u

Luke Kandiah
Sep 25, 20251 min read


FLOW - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Flow'. Flow, an embodiment of continuity, movement, and transformation, has consistently inspired artists around the globe. In the realm of contemporary art, this dynamic concept continues to captivate creators, urging them to delve into its essence through a variety of innovative mediums. This collection showcases a diverse array of contemporary artists who uniquely and compellingly engage with the theme of

Luke Kandiah
Sep 25, 20251 min read


Double Exposure
Double exposure is a photography technique that merges two images into one, creating captivating and surreal compositions. Although historically this was done using negatives in the darkroom, it's aesthetic can be reproduced in the art classroom using Adobe photoshop, or more accessibly Pixlr Editor. It’s a perfect blend of art and technology that sparks creativity, making it an ideal project for students in Years 9–11. This lesson plan will show how you can introduce your s

Luke Kandiah
Nov 30, 20243 min read


Above & Below - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Above and Below'. The theme of 'above and below' in contemporary art explores the dynamic interplay between what lies on the surface and what exists beneath. This collection showcases artists who respond to the concept of 'above and below' in innovative ways, revealing the contrast and connection between visible and hidden realms. Through these artworks, viewers are challenge to engage with the world from mu

Luke Kandiah
Aug 23, 20246 min read


TEXT - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Text'. The theme of 'text' in contemporary art delves into the expressive potential of language and symbols in their written forms. This collection highlights artists who explore the concept of 'text' in diverse and inventive ways, from reinterpreting written language to uncovering deeper layers of meaning in our interactions with words. These artworks invite viewers to engage with language in new contexts a

Luke Kandiah
Aug 21, 20245 min read


Thumbnails
To tap into the visual language of art, we aim to encourage students to think like an artist . Creative thinking promotes problem...

Luke Kandiah
Aug 18, 20246 min read


FOUND - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Found'. The theme of 'found' in contemporary art explores the transformative power of discovered objects, materials, and concepts. This collection showcases artists who engage with the notion of the 'found' in diverse and innovative ways, from re-contextualising everyday items to finding ourselves within the journeys we embark upon. These artworks reveal new meanings and provoke fresh perspectives on the fo

Luke Kandiah
Aug 6, 20241 min read


HOME - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Home'. The concept of "home" transcends mere physical space, encompassing emotional, cultural, and personal dimensions. This collection features contemporary artists who engage with the theme of home in diverse and innovative ways. From reimagining domestic spaces to exploring the sense of belonging and displacement, discover how contemporary artists capture the multifaceted nature of home, revealing its sig

Luke Kandiah
Aug 4, 20241 min read


TOGETHER - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Together'. Togetherness reflects our collective experiences, relationships, and communities. This collection highlights a diverse array of artists who explore the concept of unity and connection through innovative and thought-provoking approaches. From collaborative installations and communal practices to symbolic representations of togetherness, these artworks offer fresh perspectives on how we connect with

Luke Kandiah
Aug 4, 20241 min read


WATER - Artist Bank
This Artist Bank will present artists that engage with the theme of 'Water'. A symbol of life, depth and transformation, water has been a global source of inspiration for artists. In the contemporary art world, this elemental force continues to captivate imaginations, driving artists to explore its nature through innovative and diverse mediums. This collection showcases an array of contemporary artists who engage with the themes of water in unique and compelling ways. From th

Luke Kandiah
Aug 2, 20241 min read


Olympic Pictograms
Pictograms for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic, designed by Katsumi Masaru. The Olympic Games exemplify the necessity of graphic communication...

Luke Kandiah
Jul 31, 20245 min read


Community Integration
Here, I’ll share some ideas to integrate with the community at our new schools. These activities are designed to inspire engaging art...

Luke Kandiah
Jul 28, 20245 min read


London, An Artistic Crossroads
Throughout history, people have come from all over the world to London to find refuge, creative freedom and success. This inquiry will seek to answer the question of how we can use the rich multicultural history of artists coming to London, to create affective encounters in our art classroom? The inquiry is inspired by an exhibition at the Sothebys by the same name. This quote introduces the exhibition: 'For centuries, the UK’s creative energy, cultural diversity, rich herita

Luke Kandiah
Jul 12, 20247 min read


Proverbial Culture
As an art teacher I am always looking for different ways to creatively interact with different cultures. I have witnessed this being done well, where at one school they would engage with culture through artists and informed processes, but I have also witnessed this being done less well, with an encouragement to create tokenistic images inspired by cultures. Engaging in art through proverbs is an interesting way to engage with a culture that allows us to recognise our similari

Luke Kandiah
Jul 11, 20244 min read
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