Alex Fortune
Designer | Artist | Educator

Moyle Park College
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
Moyle Park College is an all boys Catholic voluntary secondary school established in Clondalkin by the Marist Brothers in 1957. The school motto, ‘Respice Finem’ ('Look to the End') conveys the school’s philosophy of setting objectives and ideals and working towards them. The college is based on a 26-acre campus with extensive sporting facilities in the heart of Clondalkin Village
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The management and teaching staff of Moyle Park College, in cooperation with parents are committed to the provision of a broadly based education. They are dedicated to achieving a balance between the academic, social, cultural and spiritual components of education within the tradition established by St Marcellin Champagnant, founder of the Marist Brothers, & a strong caring ethos permeates daily life in the college.
“Art has the role in education of helping children become more like themselves instead of more like everyone else”
- Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
Learner's Work
5th Year Visual Studies
Illuminated Manuscripts
Aim:
Students will explore and engage with the work of the Early Irish Manuscript writers, to collaborate, sketch, annotate and produce practical work surrounding our chosen Manuscripts - The Cathach, The Book of Durrow & The Book of Kells
Main Learning Intentions:
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explore and discuss the main differences between their previously studied pre christian art, and the insular manuscript style
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examine the form, function, techniques and decoration used in the Cathach of St. Columba
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examine the purpose & use of an illustrated capital within an Irish Manuscript
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create their own quill pen
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recognise the function of the Symbols of the Evangelists within Irish Manuscript writing
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Students will recognise the term ‘Zoomorphic’ and hypothesise the reasoning behind how the symbol of the lion may have come to Ireland
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Recognise the leap in decorative techniques shown in the Book of Kells, and contrast this with the decoration seen in the Book of Durrow
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Relate the use of precious materials in the Book of Kells, to the importance of Christianity during the time period
Main Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to.....
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Research
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analyse an artwork
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recognise an art style and identify relevant features
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engage with a recognised artist or work of art
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explain how context and period influence artistic thinking
Create
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apply appropriate skills, knowledge and techniques
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understand the properties of media and apply them appropriately
Respond
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question established and new ideas and work​
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argue the merit of a work using appropriate contextual information
5th Year Illustrated Lettering
" A Musical Memory"
Aim:
Learning Intentions:
To explore line, shape, colour and balance through the process of illustrated typography design to create an illuminated initial influenced by our theme of “A Musical Memory”
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explore their chosen “Musical Memory” through the process of mindmapping
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Students will discuss the purpose of the Richard Serra Verb list, and investigate how this list can influence primary source exploration
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critically reflect on their own work & the work of their peers using relevant visual language
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compare and contrast the work of two studied typographic designers
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successfully create their own name using the 3x5 grid method
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consider the function of illustrated typography in today’s world, and relate this knowledge back to the function of typography in our studied manuscripts
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explore the 3 line typography method to create a series of successful letterforms
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experiment with a variety of compositions to create a series of thumbnail sketches for their final design
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evaluate the impact of media on the work of our SS artists, and consider this evaluation within their own work
Learner's Work
Main Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to.....
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Research
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analyse an artwork
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use critical and visual language to describe an artwork
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collate information from a variety of sources and media
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record visual information through a variety of media and techniques
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produce an annotated visual record of their enquiry
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experiment with ideas, media and techniques
Create
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develop concepts in imaginative and creative ways
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create realised work based on their research
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critique the work of others and their own
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translate their experience of Visual Studies into their practical work
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create a selection of drawings, studies and realised work
Respond
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discuss the development of ideas and work from conception to realisation
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present evidence of a sustained and varied investigation of a stimulus
6th Year LCA Batik
"Legacy"
Aim:
To explore line, colour & composition through the process of batik to create a collaborative installation influenced by our theme of “Legacy”
Learning Intentions:
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investigate the meaning of a “Legacy”, and identify relevant sources of legacy in our Local Environment
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create and capture a series of successful photographs suitable to be used as part of their batik designs
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find out and explain the significance of the Clondalkin Round Tower and what its original function was
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experiment with a series of batik techniques to create a successful batik test piece
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create a successful collage (from primary source photos), and use a viewfinder to experiment with a range of compositions within their work
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create their batik designs from their collages, and transfer these onto their Batiks
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apply layers of wax and dye successfully to their batik
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recall and demonstrate the steps in removing wax from a batik
Learning Outcomes:
Taken from LCA Visual Art Specification
Learner's Work - Batik Test Samples
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Based on group and individual learning methodologies, collect and organise resources and information
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Use a variety of artistic approaches
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Identify & experiment with artistic visual qualities and with a range of materials and tools
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Produce artwork of a personally expressive and aesthetic nature
1st Year Mask Making
"Where the Wild Things are"
Aim:
Learning Intentions:
To explore form, colour & texture through the process of mask masking to create a 3D animal hybrid mask influenced by our theme of “Where the Wild Things Are” (SDG 15)
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recognise what a hybrid animal is
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discuss (in small groups) the ways in which Dublin Zoo protects endangered wildlife
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create a series of successful observational drawings of various zoo animals
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develop a successful thumbnail sketch of their mask design, influenced by their primary source drawings/photographs
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explore & investigate the capabilities of mod roc as an art making material
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Collaborate to create a successful cast of their model’s face.
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will create a successful relief form (referenced from thumbnail sketches) and incorporate this into their final mask
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successfully apply layers of mod roc to create the ‘skin’ of their animal hybrids
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successfully mix and apply their chosen base colour to their masks
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to.....
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Art
Learner's Work - in progress
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respond to an artwork using critical and visual language
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demonstrate how they use drawing to observe, record and analyse the human figure and the world around them
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identify the use of art elements and design principles within an artwork
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consider the use of art elements and design principles in their own work
Craft
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Show they can use their drawings to observe, record and analyse
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Develop their ideas for craftwork through drawing
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Use media to create craftwork
Design
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Experiment with design ideas through research and analytical drawing
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Design a final work based on these drawings