The Fantastic In Western Visual Arts

AY2025/2026 Semester 1

This course offers an introduction to an often over-looked, or under-considered, aspect of the art world - the fantastic. As such, students engage with a wide range of art historical methodologies and art practices to examine an imagined or hoped for world. They will conduct two in-depth analyses of `fantastic' works of art of their own choosing and present the findings in a peer reviewed exercise and an academic essay. By doing this students will hone their ability to communicate art historical discussions in both oral and written formats. They will also develop the intangible notions beyond the visual that drive creativity.