This project focuses on personal dentity, many artists both historical and modern have tackled the issue of identity through portraiture.  A single portrait holds a wealth of information about the sitter, this is all deftly portrayed by the artist's skill and choices.  'Who am I?' Is intended to deepen children's understanding of their identity and how  portraiture is a very effective way of portraying various aspects of an individual's identity.  It is important that as educators we provide children with opportunities to engage with art first hand.  Museums provide memorable and highly immersive learning experiences, as well as offering an ideal environment for childrens' creativity and imagination to thrive.  It is for this reason that this project is launched with a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum. 

 

Children should begin their trip around the musuem by visiting room 24 - Portraits and Memorial Sculpture.  Where children can experience portraiture and see that sculpture is also a form of portraiture. Room 90a focuses on Portrait Miniatures, there is an opportunity for children to watch a video that demonstrates how portrait miniatures were made as well as explaining the reasons behind their commission.  This will demonstrate how the nature of portraits has changed over the years.  Visiting the study room to see how culture and identity is explored through photography will highlight yet another way of expressing identity.

 

Included here are two links to activities that children can complete whilst at the museum.  The activities help chidren to look for clues and to understand how symbols and motifs can be used as a means of expressing or portaying religious and cultural beliefs.  

 

When children return to school, children could also be given the opportunity to make a miniature bust of themselves from clay.

 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/177977/54859_file.pdf

 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/177978/54860_file.pdf

 

Key Questions:

1. Why do artists make portraits?

2. Who do you think is responsible for the way the picutre appears, is it the artist or the sitter?

3. What do you think the sitter is thinking? Would you like to sit for a portrait?why?

4. Do portraits have to be paintings? What other types of portraits are there? Have you seen any here at the musuem? where?

 

Art Skills:  meaningful engagement with cultural collections, provide inspiration for children, challenge misconceptions, first hand experience of portraiture and sculpture.