Guernica
PBL Project
Embedded Files
Our project centered around Pablo Picasso’s iconic painting Guernica, a powerful anti-war artwork created in response to the 1937 bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Picasso’s original piece uses stark symbolism and distorted forms to express the pain, chaos, and suffering inflicted by war on innocent civilians. Inspired by Guernica’s raw emotional power and political message, we repainted the scene using imagery drawn from current real-world conflicts. Instead of warplanes and shattered buildings, our reinterpretation highlights modern struggles such as inequality in healthcare, systemic racism, and the refugee crisis. We aimed to show that while the context may change, human suffering and injustice remain global issues. In addition to the visual reinterpretation, we created a public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about these issues, particularly focusing on disparities in healthcare access. Our goal was to extend Picasso’s message of protest into today’s world, encouraging viewers to reflect on the conflicts that still demand our attention and action.
Geometry Cubism
Cubism, developed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, is an artistic style that deconstructs objects into geometric shapes and reconfigures them in abstract ways. These shapes can overlap, be viewed from multiple angles, or be fragmented into smaller sections. For our assignment, we were tasked with creating an image using cubism while incorporating five 3D shapes: a pyramid, rectangular prism, cylinder, and cube. I chose to depict the face of a woman. I found the cone to be the easiest shape to work with, while the cube was the most challenging. Studying geometry has transformed how I view art—now I can identify various shapes within almost every piece I encounter.
The Guernica Project
I reinterpreted Pablo Picasso’s Guernica to address contemporary issues, specifically focusing on the devastating impact of gun violence. Picasso’s original work, created in response to the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, powerfully conveys the suffering, chaos, and destruction caused by war. Drawing inspiration from this, I aimed to express the emotional turmoil and fear that gun violence creates in today’s world.
Instead of depicting the effects of war through bombings and destruction, my reinterpretation portrays the harsh realities of gun violence, focusing on the innocent lives affected by shootings, the trauma caused to communities, and the sense of fear that has become all too familiar in modern society. Through distorted forms and symbolic imagery, I wanted to show that, while the form of violence may have changed, the pain and suffering it causes are still very much the same.
This project was not just about recreating a piece of art—it was about using Picasso’s raw emotional power to communicate a pressing issue in today’s world. I hope my work encourages viewers to reflect on the impact of gun violence and consider the importance of addressing this ongoing crisis.
copy_3D58F7E6-EBDF-455F-ABF8-91F4DB165422.movGun Violence PSA
Gun Violence PSA
This PSA aims to raise awareness about the alarming issue of gun violence and its devastating effects on communities. With gun violence affecting countless lives each year, our goal is to highlight the urgency of addressing this issue, advocating for stronger gun control measures, and encouraging responsible actions to prevent further harm.
Through emotional visuals and powerful messaging, the PSA brings attention to the innocent victims of gun violence, the trauma experienced by families, and the lasting impact on neighborhoods. It stresses the need for change—whether through policy reforms, better mental health support, or community-based initiatives.
By shedding light on this critical problem, we hope to inspire viewers to take action, spread awareness, and work towards a safer future for everyone.
In chemistry class, I illustrated the bull from Guernica using stress-related chemicals like cortisol to represent the emotional weight of the Spanish Civil War. People during that time experienced intense emotions—fear, anger, hope, and grief—as the conflict tore apart families and left deep psychological scars. In my artwork, we used sharp lines and bold shapes around the bull to convey stress and motion. This project helped me see the connection between art and science. By learning about the brain chemicals that influence our emotions, we can better understand human behavior and the impact of historical events.
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