Visual Strategies in (Visual Arts) Education: A Critical Perspective on Reading and Making Images

Abstract

This study takes its point of departure from a nationwide project called Visual Storytelling and the Art of Reading Images carried out in Sweden between 2019–2020. This national project, implemented by Läsrörelsen (The Reading Movement Association), aimed to develop the professionalism of educators and visual art teachers by offering an in-service training day to enhance their competence in visual storytelling and image interpretation. The aim of our study, which uses material from the project, is to contribute knowledge regarding the role of visual culture and visual strategies in school, particularly in visual arts education. The role of visual culture in education is to develop a critical perspective on images and cultural ways of seeing and making images. This approach involves focusing on the global and digital visual culture of young people’s daily lives and working on societal issues. Through teaching and learning how to analyse and discuss contemporary, complex images with others, as well as expressing oneself and communicating through image making, the use of visual strategies can bring pupil’s different opinions, thoughts, and feelings to the fore.