G9+MYP4+Frida+Kahlo+-+Self+Portraiture

=Frida Kahlo - Self Portraiture=

Key concept: Identity Related concept: Expression Global context: Identities and relationships Statement of inquiry: The process of artistic creation based on identity can lead to self-discovery.

//Contemplate 2 questions from each of the 3 sections below. After you have contemplated your answers, write them in statements in your process journal//.

Factual— What does the word identity mean to you? What is the one special thing about you that makes you different and unique? What shapes individual identities? What about Frida´s paintings give you hints about her identity and why? (…Self-portrait has vivid and bright colours. Her necklace identifies her connection to her Mexican heritage because it is a necklace very similar to the ancient Mexican tribes people would often wear…). What colours are most noticeable or dominant in Frida´s self-portraits?

Conceptual—Why and how do people represent individual identities as part of their self-portraits? How could the use of a certain colour in your self-portrait represent your identity, for instance your heritage? (…if students are American, they may wish to include red, white and blue in their self-portrait, if they are from another country, or their heritage is from many countries, they may wish to include colours that are important to those countries). Why and how do you express and then represent yourself in drawings/paintings? Why and how do you “hide” your feelings and emotions through symbols? How do you convey mood through artistic expressions? How do you interpret feelings in someone´s artwork?

Debatable— Is it a sign of strength/vulnerability to explore and expose your feelings/self though the creation of your own image? How does it make you feel? Is showing emotions a weakness? To share your image and how you feel with the public means you are brave or it makes you feel exposed? Are there other ways to express yourself and your emotions? Can all members of the community find alternatives ways of self- expression?

Research describe/analyze (use images, drawing and written formats) the ways in which Frida Kahlo expresses her identity and feelings in her self-portraits. (2 pages minimum). Use information about her history, heritage, culture, country, climate, natural resources to inform the research. Explore how the artist deals with her personal conflicts and expresses her feelings through the use of symbols in her paintings. Focus on 2 of her paintings using the following art criticism guide...

1. Provide the main details of the artwork Title Artist Date Medium Size

2. Describe what you see in the artwork. Make a list of all of the objects and things you can see.

3. How do you think the artwork was made? What techniques and skills has the artist used to make this artwork? a) What equipment and materials have been used? (e.g. clay, pottery wheel, oil paint, acrylic paint, canvas, paper, small thin brushes, ink, printing press). b) What techniques has the artist used? (e.g. mono printing, wheel throwing, applied the paint with small, detailed brush strokes). c) What steps did the artist take in making the artwork? (e.g. went outside into the landscape and painted the image directly from nature).

4. How has the artwork been arranged or designed? a) How has colour been used? b) How has the artist used composition in the artwork? (Is it balanced, pleasing to the eye, organized).

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 * Plan for your final painting, working through the design process: your self-portrait needs to best depict you – refer back to your brainstorm and self-portraits and employ your new knowledge of symbolism. Create a minimum of 4 thumbnails where you explore compositional arrangements. Apply the colours that best describe your heritage and/or feelings.**


 * Plan carefully explaining (annotate) your intentions and reasons for the self-portrait – what IMPACT do you want it to have? What do you intend to express? Joy, fear, balance, memories, hobbies, heritage, childhood, rejection, union, family, traumas, love? What mood do you intend your facial features to convey? Happiness, sadness, surprise, loneliness, fear?**


 * After ongoing peer and self critique (ask other students how they feel about your work – make comments and note down reactions), you will refine one of your ideas through to a final solution.**



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