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 Overcoming Physical Disability inspired by the paintings of Chuck Close. Close overcame severe physical disabilities to continue painting by devising a rig which moved a giant canvas so he could reach one small square at a time. Ingeniously he painted each square with a range of colours and values which only made sense as an image when viewed away from the canvas. This worksheet has a template of a Chuck Close self portrait image which has been grided over. Students are invited to apply color using the media of their choice to create a credible likeness of Close when viewed as a whole image.
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.