Expressive prompts

Question 1

Bold Chiaroscuro

Tone

Answer 1

• The bold tonal contrast between the bright figure and the dark background creates a dramatic effect.
• Currie uses a technique called chiaroscuro, with dark shadows and bright highlights. This creates depth and 3-dimensionality, making it more lifelike.

Question 2

Thin Soft Textured

Media Handling and/or Techniques

Answer 2

• Currie uses thin glazes, building up layers of oil paint. This creates luminosity within the figures.
• The soft, precise, delicate brushwork used for the texture of skin and the clothing creates realism
• The textured brushwork in the dark background contrasts with the soft delicate figures, and adds depth.

Question 3

Symbolic Sombre

Colour

Answer 3

• There is a symbolic colour choice, because red is used in the clothing and the blood to symbolise danger and vitality. This reminds the viewers that they are fighting life-threatening diseases.
• There is a sombre colour palette of greys, blacks, and muted tones. This helps to convey the seriousness and solemnity of the piece.

Question 4

Sombre Clinical Intense

Mood and/or Atmosphere

Answer 4

• There is a sombre, serious mood because of the dark background, and limited palette. This creates heaviness and seriousness.
• There is a clinical, sterile atmosphere due to the dark, empty background, and the lab coats. This lack of warmth and personal touch creates an atmosphere of detachment and impersonality.
• There is an intense, concentrated mood due to the oncologists’ close formation. This body language shows their focus, and shows that they are deeply engaged in their work

Question 5

Vast Life

Scale

Answer 5

• It has a vast scale of 195cm x 243cm, which confronts the viewer and creates huge visual interest
• There is a life-size depiction of the oncologists, creating strong realism.

Question 6

Blurred Impasto

Texture

Answer 6

• The blurred lines of the hands of the oncologists show movement, like they were caught working.
• The thick, impasto brushstrokes used for the skin and the clothes creates realism in the texture of the skin and the imperfections of the clothes.

Question 7

Use Organic

Shape / Form

Answer 7

• Currie’s use of form creates a 3-dimensional quality, with the rendering of the faces and bodies through tone and texture. This creates a lifelike presence and realism.
• There are organic shapes throughout the piece with rounded bodies and irregular clothing shapes. This creates humanity and vulnerability.

Question 8

Expressive Symbolism

Style

Answer 8

• There is expressive brushwork used, with bold dynamic strokes conveying texture and movement. This creates an energetic, intense style within the piece.
• The symbolism of the colour palette being dark and sombre tones creates a serious and solemn style.

Question 9

Bloody Symbolism

Subject matter / imagery

Answer 9

• The bloody hands and bent posture of the left surgeon shows the physical nature of their work.
• The symbolism of the medical tools like the torch and the surgical masks show the seriousness and intensity of the procedures.

Question 10

Colour Composition Chiaroscure

Visual Impact

Answer 10

• The colour within the piece, with the sombre palette of greys, blacks and muted tones creates seriousness, solemnity and visual impact.
• Currie uses composition and scale to create visual impact. The foreground covers a significant portion of the canvas so viewers can immediately engage with the doctors.
• Currie uses the technique chiaroscure, with highlights and shadows to create a dramatic visual impact and make it more lifelike.

Question 11

Simple Foreground

Composition / Arrangement

Answer 11

• The compostition is very simple, with the three figures emerging from the dark background. This creates a direct, powerful composition.
• The foreground of the compostion with the three figures occupies a significant portion of the canvas, showing their presence and importance in the narrative.

Question 12

Socialist Caravaggio

Social and Cultural Influences

Answer 12

• Currie was a young man in the 1980s so was very influenced by socialist politics. He had concerns about inequality, poverty, and the impact of political systems, and this is shown in his piece “The Socialist Vision… Workers of the World” (1986-7)
• Currie was also influenced by Caraveggio’s use of chiaroscuro, with his black background and ghostly white figures. This is seen in “Gallowgate Lard” (1996)

Question 13

Diagonal Vertical

Line

Answer 13

• Currie uses diagonal lines in the positioning of the oncologists and the tilt of their heads. This creates energy and tension, and shows their emotional impact by making viewers feel unseasy and uncomfortable.
• Currie uses vertical lines in the background walls, curtains, and medical equipment. This creates order and balance to contrast with the energy created by the diagonal lines.