Expressionism: Creating Your Symbol of Identity

Part 1: The History of Expressionism and German Expressionists 

Expressionism is a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Northern Europe around the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or idea

For this unit we will be inspired by the German Expressionist artists and their use of printmaking to produce your very own symbol of identity

For this project we will:

• Study a brief history of Expressionism

• Practice sketching in the style of German Expressionist artists

Your homework assignment: Complete your reflection worksheet 

Expressionism: Creating Your Symbol of Identity

Part 2: Developing your symbol of identity drawing

Time to revisit Symbolism

For this project we will:

• complete tasks 1-5 taking you from brainstorm to final drawing.

• Complete your symbol of identity drawing.

Your homework assignment: complete the assignments required for each task.

Expressionism: Creating Your Symbol of Identity

Part 3: Preparing your drawing for printmaking

The most underappreciated artistic movement was the use of printmaking to develop new artistic forms, respond to the political upheaval at the time, and provide records of violence experienced during World War I.

For this project we will:

• Finalize your drawing to have a good balance between positive and negative space. 

• Reverse your image and transfer onto linoleum.

• Learn what carving tools to use and how to safely carve your image.

Your homework assignment: Finalize your drawing to carve in class. .

Expressionism: Creating Your Symbol of Identity

Part 4: printmaking

Time to learn how to print your image

For this project we will:

• Learn what tools to use for printing

• watch expert examples

Expressionism: Creating Your Symbol of Identity

Part 5: Burroughs on Burlap 

Margaret Burroughs (1917-2010) was known nationally as a visual artist and as an arts organizer. She devoted her life’s work to African American history and culture but also saw her art as a catalyst for bringing people together and improving life for all humanity. 

For this project we will:

1. Learn about Margaret Burroughs and her process in making prints.

2. Learn the process of printing on burlap

3. Embellish the edges of the burlap     

using wooden beads, or hemp cord to       form a frame. 

Your homework assignment: Finalize your Print for matting.