Artists throughout history have delved into the intricate exploration of identity, transcending mere visual representation to capture the essence of who they are. Identity, far beyond superficial portrayals, constitutes a complex terrain for art educators to navigate.
This worksheet introduces the theme of Cultural heritage inspired by the paintings of Frida Kahlos which explore physical and emotional identity. Kahlo’s art explores deeply personal themes of physical pain, mental health, love and her own cultural heritage. She used rich symbolism to celebrate her Mexican heritage and traditions. There are 3 tasks designed to help students explore their own identity and cultural heritage. The first is simply to write a list of their favorite things, the second tasks requires them to use the template to make a moodboard using images of some of their favorite things. The main task gives students the opportunity to create a self portrait using a similar composition to that of Frida Kahlos’s ‘Self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird’.
This is 1 workshop from a set of 7 which help students investigate how artists explore the theme of Identity in their art. Whether used as standalone lessons to ignite curiosity or as launching pads for more in-depth studies, our worksheet is crafted to add depth to the exploration of identity within the art curriculum.