Art of Australia, The (ATOM Study Guide)

This series follows former Art Gallery of New South Wales director Edmund Capon on an epic journey across the continent and back in time. It's a journey of discovery in which Edmund uncovers the story of how art and artists played their part in the dramatic story of Australia's cultural and historical development.

For the first time on Australian TV, the series weaves the story of Indigenous, European and Asian art traditions in Australia together. Each episode follows a different theme as the story moves from the colonial past to the modern day. The films mix history in with Edmund's encounters with important contemporary artists, whose work reflects the big-picture themes the series explores.

Overall, The Art of Australia explains how through prehistory, colonisation, gold rushes and wars, art helped make Australia, and continues to do so. It's a dramatic tale that allows the viewer to understand better how art helped create a distinctive Australian identity.

While teachers of Art will certainly be able to use this resource in their units, it will also be an engaging and informative series to use in English and Humanities.