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Today We Will:
Analyze how artists communicate ideas of culture and place
Reflect on your own cultural connections to inspire future work.
How to "Read" Art (15m)
There are many ways to READ ART.
This is one strategy to help us when we encounter a work of art that we are unfamiliar with.
Let's learn how to apply this system of art criticism
Let's Practice It (20m)
Reading Artwork In Action: Art Analysis (20m)
Pick one artwork from below. Analyize it. Consider culture and place connections too.
DESCRIBE
What visual clues suggest a particular culture or time period?
How do clothing, objects, or symbols reflect cultural identity?
Does the setting indicate a specific location or tradition?
What materials or techniques connect to cultural or historical practice?
How does the artist’s background appear in the visual elements?
INTERPRET
What cultural message or story might the artist express?
How does the artwork reflect identity, heritage, or beliefs?
What social or political issues are connected to the culture shown?
How might viewers from different cultures interpret this work?
How does the work explore tensions between traditional and modern values?
ANALYZE
How do color, line, and texture communicate aspects of culture?
How is the composition influenced by cultural storytelling or symbolism?
Does the use of space reflect cultural ideas such as hierarchy or spirituality?
How does the artist combine traditional and contemporary elements?
How do formal qualities challenge or preserve cultural conventions?
DECIDE / EVALUATE
How successful is the artist in communicating culture or identity?
What makes this work culturally significant or relevant today?
Does it preserve, critique, or reimagine cultural traditions?
How might this work contribute to cultural understanding or dialogue?
What impact does it have on your perception of culture or identity?
Frida Kahlo (Mexico) – The Two Fridas (1939) Powerfully reflects her dual Mexican and European heritage, making culture and place visible through personal identity.
Diego Rivera (Mexico) – Man at the Crossroads (1933) Man at the Crossroads (1933) by Diego Rivera is a politically charged mural that depicts humanity at a pivotal point between capitalism and socialism, symbolizing the struggle for the future of society through technology, science, and class conflict.
El Anatsui (Ghana/Nigeria) – Earth’s Skin (2007) Bottle-cap tapestry transforms recycled materials into reflections on Ghanaian culture, global trade, and memory.
Kehinde Wiley (USA/Nigeria) – Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps
Emily Kame Kngwarreye (Australia) – Earth’s Creation (1994) Abstract landscapes embody her Aboriginal heritage and spiritual connection to the land.
Adrián Goméz (Costa Rica) – Merienda Celebrate Afro-Caribbean culture by vividly portraying the daily life, spirituality, and resilience of Limón’s Afro-descendant communities.
Banksy (UK) – The Migrant Child (Naufrago Bambino) represents a poignant cultural moment that confronts Europe's migrant crisis through the innocent gaze of a child, transforming public space into a powerful commentary on displacement, hope, and humanity.
Jade Rivera (Perú) – El tiempo / Bogotá Mural exposes hopes and dreams from the street kids in Bogotá
Kara Walker (USA) – Gone, An Historical Romance… (1994) Silhouette installation reflects on the American South, race, gender, and cultural memory tied to place.
Elizabeth Lennie (Canada) – Vespers, (2016) is a serene, impressionistic painting that captures a solitary swimmer immersed in tranquil blue waters of Canadian Lakes, a favorite place for Canadian holidays.
Wifredo Lam (Cuba) – The Jungle (1943)
Zarina Hashmi (India/USA) – Home is a Foreign Place (1999) Minimalist woodcuts combine Urdu script and architectural forms, evoking displacement and longing for place.
Shirin Neshat (Iran/USA) – Rebellious Silence
Yinka Shonibare (UK/Nigeria) – The Swing (after Fragonard) (2001) Colonial European painting remade with African textiles questions cultural hybridity and identity.
With Remaining Class Time: Research Culture and Place Artist (20m)
Choose Two Artists
Select two artists whose work you connect with YOUR culture/place who you want to learn more about.
Focus on a specific artwork by each artist that reflects this idea of culture and place.
Create Two Quick Slides (One per Artist)
Each slide should include:
The artist’s name, origin, and the title of the specific artwork.
An image of the artwork (large and clear).
2–3 bullet points explaining: What you notice about how culture and place show up in this work. Why this artist or artwork interests you personally. Any additional comments you want to share on the artists "WHY".
Next Class Presentations:
You’ll give a short (1-2 minutes per artist) presentation.
Explain: Why did you choose this artist? What about this artwork stood out to you?
Feedback and Next Steps
As a class, we’ll give feedback on your choices.
From there, you will narrow down to ONE artist to develop into a full artist study.
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