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Crows feature prominently in both FIGURE 7a and FIGURE 7b - NSC Visual Arts - Question 7 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 7
Crows feature prominently in both FIGURE 7a and FIGURE 7b. Candidates must study the artworks and discuss the following in an essay: - Significance of the crows in ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Crows feature prominently in both FIGURE 7a and FIGURE 7b - NSC Visual Arts - Question 7 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Significance of the crows in the artworks
Answer
The crows in both artworks symbolize chaos and the burdens placed upon women in a domestic setting. In FIGURE 7a, the crows represent magical elements and predictive qualities linked to the afterlife. Their presence alongside the females in the kitchen highlights feelings of struggle amidst the daily tasks of preparing food. The hyena additionally symbolizes the scavenging nature of society and captures the struggles of women who must navigate chaotic environments filled with societal expectations.
In FIGURE 7b, the crows embody a sense of wildness and hunger, suggesting desperation. Together with the chaotic setting, they reflect the inner turmoil of women who endure overwhelming tasks without recognition.
Step 2
Significance of the titles of the artworks
Answer
The titles reflect the gender roles historically assigned to women regarding food preparation and servitude. The imagery of women preparing food serves to reinforce stereotypes about female domesticity. The artworks imply that women are expected to perform these tasks diligently while men are largely absent from the domestic space, thereby emphasizing the unequal dynamics present in traditional settings.
Step 3
Choice of imagery and scenery
Answer
The imagery involves contrast between the chaotic presence of crows and the structured domesticity represented by the kitchen. The dark crows against lighter backgrounds underscore the tension between order and chaos, while also drawing attention to the roles women play, often in the face of overwhelming distractions. The fragmented approach to depicting food further emphasizes themes of consumption and societal pressures.
Step 4
Perspective and depth
Answer
The artworks invite the viewer into a domestic world filled with layers of meaning. The depth of field allows for a spatial understanding of the cluttered interior while bringing the viewer's attention to the figures and the chaos surrounding them. This use of perspective serves to enhance the viewer's exploration of themes surrounding gender and societal expectations.
Step 5
Mood and atmosphere
Answer
Both artworks create a tense atmosphere, conveyed through the interactions of the figures and the chaotic presence of the crows. The busy kitchen in FIGURE 7a contrasts with the more chaotic scene in FIGURE 7b, where the crows depict urgency and disorder. This tension reflects the struggles that women face in fulfilling domestic roles amid competing demands.
Step 6
References to gender
Answer
Gender references in the artworks are explicit, focusing on the roles attributed to women as caregivers and homemakers. The depiction of female figures engaged in food preparation serves to reinforce traditional stereotypes, while the presence of crows symbolizes the underlying chaos that often disrupts their roles. Additionally, the use of hyenas reinforces the predatory nature of societal expectations imposed on women.