January
Billie Zangewa (1973-present) Textile Arts (Sewing, fabric collage)
Billie Zangewa was born in Malawi, Zimbabwe in South Africa in1973. She was raised in Malawi and Botswana, frequently moving, because her father was an engineer who worked to establish electrical power systems throughout southern Africa. As an adult Billie began working in advertising and fashion where she was exposed to textiles.
Billie now lives in Johannesburg South Africa as a single mother and an artist activist. She considers herself to be a feminist representing the female perspective through her subject matter and the materials that she uses. She creates hand-stitched collages from raw silk that incorporate intimate moments from her own life, representative of the female life, and that also share glimpses into the world of women using sewing as her method. One of her focuses is on the sharing of moments in the life of women that show their value in helping society to run smoothly, often by means of their contribution through work. Billie is also known for creating urban landscapes and portraits.
After the birth of her son, Billie's work transitioned to scenes that have been referred to as domestic interiors as her own priorities shifted to motherhood. Her art has been featured in shows at several art institutes and will be in several upcoming shows. Beginning this October, Billie will have her first solo exhibition at the Museum of the African Diaspora.
Constant Gardener, 2014; Silk tapestry
Mother and Child, 2015; Silk tapestry
Exquisite Fantasy, 2017; Silk tapestry
Possible Variations by grade:
K Felt Collage
1 Felt Collage
2 Felt Collage
3 Felt Collage
4 Felt Collage
5 Felt Collage
6 Felt Collage
7 Fabric/Fabric Collage
8 Felt/Fabric Collage/Felting
Art Lesson
Artist: Billie Zangewa
Movement(s): Textile Arts
Supplies needed:
K-8 Felt, scissors, tacky glue, white paper and pencil for sketching ideas
4-8 (Optional) A piece of felt, fabric scraps, needle, thread, thimble, white glue
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn how they can use collage to create an intentional scene.
Students will learn how nontraditional materials can be used to create collage.
Students will gain experience working with textile materials.
Essential Questions:
Is how we see the world different from how others perceive the world?
How can we share our own perspective with the world through art?
Do different types of art convey different types of ideas differently?
Hook:
Billie Zangewa created artwork that gives the world a look into her daily life. Students will be asked to create a collage using textiles (felt). They might consider using their collage to convey what a day in their own lives looks like. Students will create a draft on paper of their collage.
Description:
The class will learn about the Billie Zangewa and examine her artwork. Students will create a draft of their collage on paper and once completed, will create a collage of their composition using felt and tacky glue. Students in grades 4-8 may also considering adding hand sewn features and cotton fabric material.
Sequence:
Day 1: Intro to Billie Zangewa, analysis of her artwork, discussion considering essential questions, reflection in the day of our own life, draft
Day 2: Students will receive felt. Using markers or a pencils they will draw the figure, object, or scene from their draft onto felt or material of the color they desire. Students will choose a piece of stiff felt for the background of their work and regular, soft felt to draw on, cut out, and glue onto the stiff felt. Students who have chosen to hand sew will use a needle and thread.
Day 3: Students will continue creating their collage.
Day 4: Students will complete their collage.
Vocabulary:
Billie Zangewa: A South African textile artist born in 1973 who creates fabric collages that show scenes from everyday life
Collage: The overlapping of materials to create an artwork
Textile: A type of cloth or woven fabric
Urban Landscape: A landscape in the city
Portrait: A depiction of a person focusing on their face and shoulders
Domestic: Activities taking place inside the home
Interior: Inside
National Core Art Standards
VA:Cr2.1.5a Experiment and develop skills in multiple art-making techniques and approaches through practice.
VA:Cr2.2.4a When making works of art, utilize and care for materials, tools, and equipment in a manner that prevents danger to oneself and others.
VA:Cr2.3.5a Identify, describe, and visually document places and/or objects of personal significance
VA:Pr6.1.3a Identify and explain how and where different cultures record and illustrate stories and history of life through art.
VA:Re.7.2.3a Determine messages communicated by an image