Geology and Art: Crosscurricular Links

Rock types are materials through which artists communicate their ideas. It is my premise that in order for art students to decode the rock types they are working in, they first need to discover something about the origins and compositions of the materials they use. This concept is explored though the rock types found within urban and the rural environments. I suggest that the stone fabric of the built environment provides a diverse range of textures from which art students can draw inspiration. Ideas for compositions are developed from the way in which artists in the past have portrayed geological textures, shapes and forms in their compositions. This article explores the links between geology and art, and examines how some of these connections, might be used to enhance an aesthetic appreciation and understanding of rocks.