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Today we will
Explore what is Culture and Place
Ideation Strategies
What is Culture and Place
What do we mean by Culture and Place in Visual Arts?
Culture
Culture is the shared identity of a group of people, their beliefs, traditions, values, language, art, food, clothing, and stories.
It can be big (national, religious, or ethnic culture) or small (family traditions, school culture, online communities, or youth culture).
In art, culture often shows up in symbols, materials, colors, and ideas that connect to identity and heritage.
Think: What parts of my culture shape who I am? How do artists communicate their culture visually?
Place
Place is more than a physical location. It’s the feeling, atmosphere, or identity of a space.
A place can be where you live, where you grew up, where your family is from, or even a space that exists in memory, imagination, or community.
In art, place is expressed through landscapes, architecture, textures, sounds, or even small details that give a sense of belonging or environment.
Think: What does it feel like to be in this place? How do I show that feeling visually?
Together
When we talk about Culture and Place in IB Visual Arts, we are asking:
How do artists show who they are and where they come from?
How can art connect personal identity with global context?
How might my work reflect my culture and place while also communicating to a wider audience?
What Cultures do you feel a connection too?
Ideation Strategy 1: Make a List
Make a list of the cultures you feel a strong connection too. This list may be long for some and short for others. Which do you feel pulled to explore deeper?
Ideation Strategy 2: Mind Map
Pick 1 or 2 cultures from your previous list. We will spend 10 mins in silence and without technology creating a mind map with this culture at the center.
How to Mind Map (EXAMPLE LINK):
A mind map is a creative, visual way to brainstorm and explore ideas around a central theme. It helps organize thoughts and inspire new connections. Here's how to do it:
Start with a central theme: Write a word or idea in the center of your page.
Branch out: Draw lines from the center to related categories (i.e. Memories, Objects, Emotions).
3. Add specific ideas:
Materials that might connect to your theme (traditional fabrics, family recipes written on paper, handmade jewelry, musical instruments)
Colors (vibrant reds and yellows, earthy browns, gold accents, colors from a national flag)
Textures (woven cloth, rough wood, smooth ceramic, embossed patterns)
Patterns (geometric tile designs, floral embroidery, tribal motifs, repeating borders)
Symbols (a family crest, national animal, religious symbol, iconic food )
4. Think visually: Draw doodles, add color, or use symbols to represent your ideas.
5. Keep growing: If you find it helpful, go back later and expand it even more!
Ideation Strategy 3: Mood Board
By hand in your sketchbook or digitally, create a mood board with your culture in mind. Maybe you will want to focus in on a specific moment you feel represents that culture or maybe the culture in a global context, you choose...
How to Mood Board:
A mood board is a visual collage that communicates the style, feeling, or concept of a project. Here's how to make one:
Choose a theme or concept: Think about the mood, emotion, or style you want to express (i.e. calm, energetic, vintage).
Gather inspiration: Collect images, textures, colors, typography, or words that fit your theme (from magazines, the internet, or photos).
Arrange the elements: Place them together on a board (physical or digital) in a way that flows visually.
Look for connections: Let your choices guide the color palette, mood, and overall vibe.
Keep it focused: Avoid clutter, only include things that clearly support your theme.
Bonus Strategies for Ideation
Pick one of the strategies below and add this to your evidence of ideation for this project.
Personal Artifact
Bring in or take a photo of something from your life that connects to your culture or a place that matters to you (food, clothing, music, object, street sign, even a social media post).
Sketch it in your Visual Arts Journal (VAJ).
Write: What does this say about me, my family, or my community?
5 Senses Mapping
Think about your culture/place using all five senses:
Sight: landscapes, colors, symbols
Sound: music, language, city sounds
Taste: foods, spices
Smell: flowers, incense, street markets
Touch: textures, materials
Memory Sketch
Take 5 minutes to sketch a place that feels important to you (a street, kitchen, temple, beach, etc.).
Write: Why did I choose this? What details mattered most?
Cultural Symbol Remix
Choose 2-3 images (flags, fabrics, patterns, foods, emojis, pop culture icons, etc.). Cut, remix, or collage them together in a new way.
Write: What does this say about me and the culture/place I connect to?
Interview
Talk to a person who shares your culture. Ask them about it:
Where do you feel most at home?
What tradition or routine connects you to who you are?
What image, sound, or object reminds you of your culture?
Sketch or write down answers in your VAJ.
Metaphor Building
Finish this sentence:
“My culture/place is like ______ because ______.”
Example: “My culture is like a woven blanket because it’s made of many threads.”
Draw a quick sketch of your metaphor in your VAJ and repeate.
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