Learning to See: Contribution to an Analysis of the Teaching of Free Hand Drawing by Kari Liv Brundin Torjussen at Oslo National College of Art and Design, 1947-1990

Abstract

Abstract: The National College of Art and Design (Norwegian abbreviation: SHKS) in Norway was established in 1818,as a school for educating craftsmen and artists. Until late 20 th century, free hand drawing was its foundational subject. Today, this is no longer the case, and the recurrent questions are: Which competences do design students need in free hand drawing, how should this subject be taught, and what should the education curriculum comprise? This paper aims at clarifying the tradition in which free hand drawing is embedded. Asking what the institutional teaching of free hand drawing actually was, reveals that little information is available. This teaching has been demonstrative and oral, therefore, only scarce sources are available. The exception to the rule is Kari Liv Brundin Torjussen (1922-) who has left a personal archive of her teaching work. She taught free hand drawing in the first year design class at SHKS from 1947-1990. This paper represents an initial phase of a broader research project of the institutional history. It presents a brief biography of Kari and the beginning of an analysis of her teaching, based on interviews with her, statements from some of her students, institutional archival material, literature and her personal archive. Keywords: Free hand drawing, teaching tradition, college level.