Let's explore
some portraits!
QUEST 1
Mother and Child by Elizabeth Catlett (1956)
Terra cotta, 11 1/4 x 7 x 7" (28.6 x 17.8 x 17.8 cm)
The Museum of Modern Art
First, listen to an audio about Mother and Child.
Then, answer some questions related to this piece using the answer sheet below.
​
Remember, there is no wrong answer!
Move to the next artwork.
Find the elements!
QUEST 2
1. Look back at all the six artworks you have just explored and other artworks on this website.
2. Find six visual elements that you like (e.g. Matisse's painting: the hearts on the wall, the plant leaves, the wine glass, etc.)
3. Recreate them onto the six tiles of the Decision Dice Cut-out print-out below.
4. Cut out and assemble the Decision Dice according to the instructions
(from Step 4).
5. On a blank piece of paper, use the Dice to help you decide which elements to put into your very own new pattern. Cover the entire page with this new pattern.
Become curators of a mini-exhibition.
curate (v) /kjʊˈreɪt/
to curate something: to collect, select, and present information or items such as pictures, video, music, etc. for people to use or enjoy, using your professional or expert knowledge
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
​
QUEST 4
Work in a group of 2, select 4 pieces of portraits from the MoMA's Collection for a mini-exhibition following the theme: Family Identity.
-
Artworks can be in 2D and/or 3D.
-
Include detailed information about the artwork (artist name, year of completion, medium, size, etc.)
-
Write 2-3 sentences about a detail of each artwork that you find interesting.
Collaborate on a Google Slides presentation using the template below.
Create a portrait!
QUEST 5
Create a self-portrait, or a portrait of a family member, using the pattern you have worked on previously as the background.
Your final work should:
​
-
be minimum 9" x 12"
-
have a 2D background designed by you
-
have at least 4 different colors
-
be done using pastels (oil, soft, or hard), colored pencils, colored markers, or a combination of them
-
be brought into the next class along with your designed background sample
Camo, series
by Thandiwe Muriu (2021)
