Sharing Identity Through Collage
A workshop to teach families about the importance of identity and expressing it through collage.
I've operated throughout most of my practice without ever considering the reasons in words that express why collage is so powerful. I was given the opportunity to express that as a guest artist for Family Sunday, in partnership with Hill Street Country Club and Mingei International Museum in San Diego, CA.
Family Sunday is a monthly, free, public art workshop for families run by Mingei. A few of their missions are:
- Create access to art-making in an encouraging, safe, and brave environment.
- Form partnerships and develop projects that reflect our diverse community in a way that is relevant to them and the Museum.
- Create projects that inspire innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Provide lasting knowledge on an art-making practice; skill or process learnt.
- Continuously examine how to make this program more inclusive, accessible, and diverse.
and lastly,
- Build confidence in one's ability to be creative.
Sharing Identity
In my work, the reason I feel that it's so much more powerful as a collage than any other media is that I'm not just sharing the work as a satire of the original Euro-centric masterpieces, but because I'm sharing that history by connecting it to relatable traumas and experiences that are relative to today's society and my perspective as part of my own identity.
Thesis and Goals
Identity can be represented through more than the literal connotation. Representation/ Perspective can be subjective and challenge norms. The goal allows the students to pick their own identities, defined by what materials they choose to use through affirming who they are while in practice. The overall goal is to celebrate perspective with others and ourselves.
Preparations
After a brief introduction and mini-lesson on what identity is, the families were introduced to affirmations (positive verbal quotes or statements used to reinforce a purpose) as the meaning of their identities would be. As options for their affirmations, students were given these selections:
- I am beautiful
- I am strong
- I am powerful
- I am worthy
- I am creative
The students could express their affirmation with a variety of media but were limited throughout certain parameters to convey their affirmation when the time to share. (Limitations include: 3 color limits, opposing visual representation of the literal affirmation, and textural or scented materials.) The premise of limitations, while students focus on the affirmation, is to juxtapose reality with the internal identity struggle.
Three Important Questions
These questions were asked to create structure within thought processing for the students, as young as 5 years to as mature as 65 years old. These thought-provoking questions also proved to be a success as many students felt much more confident and curious about themselves and what it means to hold their own identities.
The first question focuses on society and outer-personal views. The question focused on a varied large-based idea or social norm that the student has picked up on.
Ex. Affirmation: I am beautiful. Question: What defines beauty in our society/the world?
The second question focused on community or communal belief. It highlights a more intimate range of beliefs that are shared through common attitudes, interests, and goals.
Ex. Affirmation: I am strong Question: What or who do you know in your community/family/friend group that exudes strength/is strong?
The third question focuses explicitly on the single creator’s thoughts. This question is nuclear to the individual and will allow them to purely express themselves.
Ex. Affirmation: I am creative. Question: How do you express your creativity?
Teacher Example:
Affirmation: I am Strong
Materials
There were a true array of supplies required to create a collage.
- Canvas -Glitter - Crayons - Magazine paper cutouts - Markers - Paint Chips - Scissors - Pre-printed scenic images - Fabric pieces - Glue - Tissue paper - Beads - Buttons - Construction Paper - Felt stickers
Here are some of the student-made collages:
