Self-Identity
ASSIGNMENT:
Create a self-portrait made up of objects, symbols and/or imagery that represent key elements of your identity. You can create these self-portraits using whatever medium you choose, including collage, painting, drawing, sculpture, or printmaking.
Create a self-portrait made up of objects, symbols and/or imagery that represent key elements of your identity. You can create these self-portraits using whatever medium you choose, including collage, painting, drawing, sculpture, or printmaking.
Students will create visual self-portraits that contain symbols representing the student’s identity, beliefs, values or areas of interest related to diversity, anti-bias or social justice. Each portrait should include symbols in the background representing their identity, diversity, anti-bias, social justice, values or beliefs.
Identity Exchange
This activity is for a group or a classroom.
Brainstorm. Each person should receive ten index cards. On each card, write a word or a phrase describing something that is important to your identity.
Connect. Lay your cards out on a desk or surface. Walk around the room, reading what others wrote on their cards. Anytime you see a word or phrase that you also identity with, add a dot sticker to that person’s card.
Reflect. As a group, discuss what you noticed during this exercise. Which cards had the most dot stickers on them? Did anything surprise you?
1. To do: List your words in your art journal.
This activity is for a group or a classroom.
Brainstorm. Each person should receive ten index cards. On each card, write a word or a phrase describing something that is important to your identity.
Connect. Lay your cards out on a desk or surface. Walk around the room, reading what others wrote on their cards. Anytime you see a word or phrase that you also identity with, add a dot sticker to that person’s card.
Reflect. As a group, discuss what you noticed during this exercise. Which cards had the most dot stickers on them? Did anything surprise you?
1. To do: List your words in your art journal.
Identity Brainstorming, Suitcase Collage
Select one of the suitcase templates, or draw your own on card stock. Cut out images and words from magazines that you feel represent your outer self. Who do you present to the world? What words do you think people would (or do) use to describe you? Next, cut out images and words that represent your inner identity. Are there parts of your personality that you keep hidden from others? Glue the "outer you" images and words on the outside of your suitcase. Glue the "Inner you" images and words on the inside of your suitcase. While you are doing this, reflect on your family history, stories, and identities. Begin thinking of symbols that you might want to use in a work of art. 2. To do: List these in your art journal.
Most Wanted (Optional)
Consider. Without sharing, write a list of words to describe yourself on a sheet of paper. Choose five words to describe your appearance and five words to describe your personality. Fold the paper and set aside.
Write. Now write “missing” ads for yourself, describing your physical appearance as well as personality features.
Draw. Draw a "Missing" or "Wanted" poster for yourself like artist Glenn Ligon did.
Consider. Without sharing, write a list of words to describe yourself on a sheet of paper. Choose five words to describe your appearance and five words to describe your personality. Fold the paper and set aside.
Write. Now write “missing” ads for yourself, describing your physical appearance as well as personality features.
Draw. Draw a "Missing" or "Wanted" poster for yourself like artist Glenn Ligon did.
LOOK: at the following links to artists and works of art, and make notes about how the artist is portraying his or her identity. What symbols or objects are they using?
3. TO DO: Make notes in your art journal about the different ways the artists that you view are using symbols or objects or something else to portray identity.
https://www.freeart.com/gallery/a/arcimboldo/arcimboldo9.html
https://www.freeart.com/gallery/a/arcimboldo/arcimboldo11.html
https://emilykiel.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/typeportraitex.jpg
https://www.fridakahlo.org/
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-10-masters-self-portrait-frida-kahlo-cindy-sherman
https://fineartamerica.com/groups/diversity-and-multicultural-portraits-and-perspectives.html
https://mymodernmet.com/famous-self-portraits/
4. To Do: Look at the following pages of an advanced senior in England who created an amazing journal study before beginning her final pieces. MAKE A LIST of the things that this student does that you like, and that you would like to try in your art journal.
(This may or may not be visible with your laptop. You can look at it at home, and I will show it at school. I do want you to look at this page!)
https://www.studentartguide.com/featured/top-in-world-self-portraiture
I want you to see the layered complexity of these pages. They are very rich and detailed, and they show evidence of engagement with the work of the artist, and show the students' OWN words, and a strong sense of intellectual curiosity!
5. TO DO: WATCH the video: "How artists explore identity." For each of the three artists featured in the video, what are several ways in which they expressed their identity? Write your answers in your journal using complete sentences.
3. TO DO: Make notes in your art journal about the different ways the artists that you view are using symbols or objects or something else to portray identity.
https://www.freeart.com/gallery/a/arcimboldo/arcimboldo9.html
https://www.freeart.com/gallery/a/arcimboldo/arcimboldo11.html
https://emilykiel.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/typeportraitex.jpg
https://www.fridakahlo.org/
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-10-masters-self-portrait-frida-kahlo-cindy-sherman
https://fineartamerica.com/groups/diversity-and-multicultural-portraits-and-perspectives.html
https://mymodernmet.com/famous-self-portraits/
4. To Do: Look at the following pages of an advanced senior in England who created an amazing journal study before beginning her final pieces. MAKE A LIST of the things that this student does that you like, and that you would like to try in your art journal.
(This may or may not be visible with your laptop. You can look at it at home, and I will show it at school. I do want you to look at this page!)
https://www.studentartguide.com/featured/top-in-world-self-portraiture
I want you to see the layered complexity of these pages. They are very rich and detailed, and they show evidence of engagement with the work of the artist, and show the students' OWN words, and a strong sense of intellectual curiosity!
5. TO DO: WATCH the video: "How artists explore identity." For each of the three artists featured in the video, what are several ways in which they expressed their identity? Write your answers in your journal using complete sentences.
LINKS to Explore
Constructing Gender: https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/investigating-identity/constructing-gender/
Intersecting Identities: https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/investigating-identity/intersecting-identities/
Intersecting Identities: https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/investigating-identity/intersecting-identities/
6. TO DO: Create your work of art that reflects your identity using symbols, imagery, words- whatever you need to use that you feel reflects your true self.
I will be asking for PROGRESS UPDATE PHOTOS.
7. TO DO: Assess your knowledge with the following written response in your art journal:
What do the symbols and objects in your artwork reveal about your identity?
What do they communicate about your internal and external self?
How does this process differ from other ways you learn about peers?
