Elementary Art Assignment Inspired by Jamian Juliano-Villani
Jamian Juliano-Villani’s art work captures the busy-ness of her lifestyle and is unique because she incorporates many different things in her art pieces. In one of her pieces, it appears like a man is observing her while she on stage or on TV performing - painting. She appears to have a lot hate relationship with art as she is pointing to a painting with the words “anger” on it, and beside her is a paint tray with a knife stabbed through it. Behind her in the painting, is what appears to be a prison, which can symbolize feelings of being trapped under the eye of society. Jamian’s art is interpretive and random, allowing her audiences imagination to run wild.
Fantasy Assignment
Students are given one random word containing one topic. Some examples of words or topics that students can pull out are: crab, coconut, lemon, mouse, phone, nail, bucket, garbage, grass, money, etc,. Each student will pull a different topic as they keep the word they pull out with them. After pulling their topic, they are to brainstorm as many things as possible that comes to mind about the word that relates to them personally. From here, they will create a painting that will capture their personal connection to that word. Students are encouraged to think deep about their experiences and trauma. The purpose of this assignment is so students can reflect on themselves and make random, yet personal connections with these topics. Students are encouraged to think outside the box.
A Second Take on Fantasy Assignment
With the same assignment in mind, a social consideration is that not all students especially those in the elementary school level know how to make such deep personal connections yet. This assignment can be modified to incorporate any random thoughts that students have in regards to the topic that they have pulled out. The focus of this art project is that differences are okay and encouraged, we as artists don’t always have to create art that ‘looks right’. Some suggestions others have given me in regards to this assignment is how to modify it per age group. Kindergarteners can draw the first thing that comes to mind for each letter of the alphabet. Other primary grades can pull out several words or topics and draw it, through the drawing we can also see what they are thinking because they might not always be able to communicate it. For other modifications, we can allow students to use various materials to create their piece, paints, watercolour, or pastels are all options. This art assignment also has a lot of cross-curricular connection opportunities like incorporation of different mammals learned in Science and doing a piece that consists of all one particular mammals needs. Social Studies can be incorporated when students learn about a new place, they can draw so many different things that makes up that culture or place.