Big Idea: Individual Identity
Major Theme: Expression of the Importance and Significance of Self-worth
Medium/Presentation: Oil on canvas
Visual Components: Color, Contrast, Movement, Repetition, Rhythm, Shape, Form
Category: Fine Arts
Description/Interpretation:
This 2-dimensional painting is 36X32 inches. The piece overall is reminiscent of Picasso's style or Rosseau's landscape. A woman with dark skin is depicted sitting on a chair in front of a window sill looking into a handheld mirror. It appears as if the woman is wearing her undergarments at this moment in time. The expression of the woman in the reflection in the mirror is one of content. Through the window there are tree leaves and bushes that surround the woman. Strong thick lines are used in this piece to outline objects and distinguish shapes. For example, we see thicker lines outlining the leaves and actual woman herself. This piece is strong in the use of color, particularly its’ complementary color scheme. Warm colors are used in the foreground and cool colors are used in the background for a very dynamic effect. Bold blocks of color give off a sense of strength and confidence.
This piece elicits the idea that the only person a woman needs to make her feel a sense of worth is herself. The woman in the painting is looking into her mirror and has a comfortable expression on her face. She appears to be content with who she is in her own eyes when she is under the scrutiny of men and Caucasians. This expression tells viewers that while society is may be trying to tear her down, she is rising above this and still confident in who she is. The woman is in the same type of pose used by many European male painters making a statement that the African American woman in the painting is just as much worthy as caucasians. The shadows on the woman add for a more dramatic lighting effect and emphasize her feminine features. Her breasts are round and large also representing her femininity. The background gives off a setting that is possibly from Africa with the trees and bushes that are untamed and somewhat jungle like. This is portraying the home environment of the woman and is clearly an important and purposeful aspect of the piece. It was important to depict the woman in the piece in the natural atmosphere of where she is from.
This 2-dimensional painting is 36X32 inches. The piece overall is reminiscent of Picasso's style or Rosseau's landscape. A woman with dark skin is depicted sitting on a chair in front of a window sill looking into a handheld mirror. It appears as if the woman is wearing her undergarments at this moment in time. The expression of the woman in the reflection in the mirror is one of content. Through the window there are tree leaves and bushes that surround the woman. Strong thick lines are used in this piece to outline objects and distinguish shapes. For example, we see thicker lines outlining the leaves and actual woman herself. This piece is strong in the use of color, particularly its’ complementary color scheme. Warm colors are used in the foreground and cool colors are used in the background for a very dynamic effect. Bold blocks of color give off a sense of strength and confidence.
This piece elicits the idea that the only person a woman needs to make her feel a sense of worth is herself. The woman in the painting is looking into her mirror and has a comfortable expression on her face. She appears to be content with who she is in her own eyes when she is under the scrutiny of men and Caucasians. This expression tells viewers that while society is may be trying to tear her down, she is rising above this and still confident in who she is. The woman is in the same type of pose used by many European male painters making a statement that the African American woman in the painting is just as much worthy as caucasians. The shadows on the woman add for a more dramatic lighting effect and emphasize her feminine features. Her breasts are round and large also representing her femininity. The background gives off a setting that is possibly from Africa with the trees and bushes that are untamed and somewhat jungle like. This is portraying the home environment of the woman and is clearly an important and purposeful aspect of the piece. It was important to depict the woman in the piece in the natural atmosphere of where she is from.
Use in Teaching:
This painting immediately made me think about the self- portrait that I had to paint of myself from a small mirror in a previous class I have taken. While staring into a mirror for three hours and painting your reflection is an enlightening and unique experience in general, I believe changing up the material in which one’s self is reflected in would be a nice change/improvement. Giving students the opportunity to pick the object/material would also deepen the conceptuality of their piece overall. They would be able to pick whatever reflective object that they desire and paint themselves from that. Class discussions would take place to talk about how different reflective objects change based on that particular object. For example, some objects may distort the student more so we would talk about how this aspect might affect and change their concept and/or overall piece. To help the students explore their identity even more, the object that they bring in has to be reflective and has to somehow have something to do with who they are as a person. To celebrate the idea of self-worth and identity, students could put themselves in a background of a location or place that makes them feel comfortable where they can be their true selves and be happy/content there (where their “home” is). The use of thinksheets will help students to be able to brainstorm who they feel their true selves to be and how they are perceived. Possibly having students describe to each other how they perceive each other might help with this but it would be crucial to express that all students must respect each other during a conversation like this that may be touchy.
This painting immediately made me think about the self- portrait that I had to paint of myself from a small mirror in a previous class I have taken. While staring into a mirror for three hours and painting your reflection is an enlightening and unique experience in general, I believe changing up the material in which one’s self is reflected in would be a nice change/improvement. Giving students the opportunity to pick the object/material would also deepen the conceptuality of their piece overall. They would be able to pick whatever reflective object that they desire and paint themselves from that. Class discussions would take place to talk about how different reflective objects change based on that particular object. For example, some objects may distort the student more so we would talk about how this aspect might affect and change their concept and/or overall piece. To help the students explore their identity even more, the object that they bring in has to be reflective and has to somehow have something to do with who they are as a person. To celebrate the idea of self-worth and identity, students could put themselves in a background of a location or place that makes them feel comfortable where they can be their true selves and be happy/content there (where their “home” is). The use of thinksheets will help students to be able to brainstorm who they feel their true selves to be and how they are perceived. Possibly having students describe to each other how they perceive each other might help with this but it would be crucial to express that all students must respect each other during a conversation like this that may be touchy.
Discussion Questions:
- What about yourself are you happy with/makes you feel good?
- Is there anything about yourself that you wish you could change? Why or why not?
- Do you feel like you can be your true self most if not all of the time? Why or why not?
- Are there any particular objects that you can think of that remind you of yourself? Particularly a reflective object that you might resonate with?
- How do you think people perceive you? What words do you think other people would describe you as?
- How would you describe yourself in a couple words?
- What do you see in this particular piece?
- How has Faith Ringgold portrayed this woman in a way that expresses who the woman is as an individual?
- What types of color schemes are used in this piece and how does this impact the piece overall?