‘Mask III’ (Mueck, 2005), ‘Wild Man’ (Mueck,2005), ‘Mask II’ (Mueck, 200-02), ‘Pregnant Woman’ (Mueck, 2002), ‘In Bed’ (Mueck, 2005)
Ron Mueck is an Australian artist who is world renowned for his incredible, lifelike sculptures. It is evident that Mueck is fascinated with the living form and the commonplace, yet truly extraordinary stages it passes through such as pregnancy, birth, relationships, infirmity and death (NGV, 2010). Mueck was also a model maker and puppeteer, notably involved in the television show ‘Shirl’s Neighbourhood’ and Jim Henson’s ‘The Storyteller’ and ‘Labyrinth' (Muppet Wiki, n.d.).
His puppets and sculptures provide vast scope for engaging students in learning about the artistic concepts that they are based upon. Elements of form (2D, 3D), colour, texture, space and principles of scale, proportion and movement are all aspects at play in Mueck’s creations. Differences and similarities between other art such as two dimensional artworks or real life, and Ron Mueck’s art can easily be examined with students; there are countless avenues for discussion with the children. A variety of cross curricular opportunities also arise when studying his work; how wonderfully convenient! An obvious topic to take advantage of is human anatomy and human development (science), but also geometrical principles and measurement (mathematics), writing, reflecting, speaking, listening (English) and using information technology.
Just as adults are, children will be instantly fascinated by Mueck’s sculptures because of their hyperrealism or resemblance to real life. Therefore, in addition to a platform for fantastic, rich art lessons, choosing his art as a focus is an effective way of generating that ‘wow’ factor at the commencement of a lesson.
Lesson ideas relating to both the ‘creating and making’ and ‘exploring and responding’ dimensions of the AusVELS ‘Arts’ domain, aimed at grade six primary students are available for download. Videos and other links that can aid teachers in developing background knowledge of Ron Mueck are also provided here.