Petra Vichrová

Petra Vichrová – Department of Art Education, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Abstract:

The portrayal of the face in art education offers a unique space for discovering “unexpected territories” that transcend traditional frameworks of aesthetic creation. This project explores new ways to connect traditional approaches to portrait depiction with digital technologies, offering perspectives on the portrait as an experimental form, an imaginative expression, and a visual and non-visual study of the face. It aims to develop not only technical and aesthetic skills but also to provide a platform for deeper understanding of personal identity through portrait-making. The presentation will showcase specific artistic activities conducted within extracurricular art education in collaboration with students of various age groups. It will demonstrate how the combination of traditional artistic methods and digital media can support the discovery of personal “unexpected territories.” Portrait creation will be viewed not only as a means of reflecting the visible world but also as a tool for interpreting the emotional aspects of human existence. The project is based on the premise that artistic creation enables both educators and students to transcend the boundaries of the known and provides practical tools for engaging students in profound and meaningful artistic processes, combining imagination, critical thinking, and technological innovation. The presentation will include examples of artworks and lesson plans that educators can directly implement in their teaching. The goal of this presentation is to inspire art educators to explore new pedagogical strategies that foster creativity, aesthetic perception, and the ability to interpret visual culture within the context of contemporary society.