Bildarbete

Bildarbete, roughly “image work,” is a Swedish term for work with images in educational, artistic, and therapeutic contexts. In Sweden it is commonly linked to visual arts education, but its use spans classroom tasks, community arts projects, and forms of self-expression in therapy.

In schools, bildarbete involves a structured process: idea development, planning, production using appropriate techniques and media, and presentation or exhibition of the finished work, with a focus on both the process and the product. It aims to develop visual literacy, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Students learn to choose materials, solve visual problems, and articulate their intentions.

Media and methods include drawing, painting, collage, photography, digital imaging, video, and mixed media. The approach encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and reflection, often with documentation such as sketches, drafts, or artist statements. Emphasis is placed on developing technical skills alongside concepts and meanings conveyed through imagery.

Assessment typically considers concept, technical skill, use of media, and the ability to articulate decisions and reflect on learning. Documentation of the process and final presentation are commonly included.

In addition to education, bildarbete appears in art therapy and other psychosocial settings, where image-making supports expression, exploration of emotions, and communication. The term reflects Nordic traditions in visual arts education, with practices varying by curriculum and institution.