Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit explores personal identity in art through self-expression, mapping, storytelling, and the interplay between personal and universal themes. Pupils will engage with a variety of art forms while considering how identity is shaped and communicated.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse and create artwork that explores how artists choose to conceal or reveal aspects of identity.

Key Notes

• Identity is multifaceted and can change over time.
• Artists explore and express identity in their work, and they do not always do this through traditional portraits.
• Artists make selections about what to conceal or reveal in their work.
• You don't need to share the same identity as an artist to understand and appreciate their work.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Identity: The way an artist represents themselves or others through art.
• Conceal: When an artist hides or obscures parts of their identity, maybe through using abstraction, symbolism, or selective representation.
• Reveal: When an artist intentionally shares aspects of identity, history, or emotions through choices in their work.
• Symbolism: The use of objects, colours, or imagery in art to represent deeper meanings or ideas beyond their literal appearance.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• When artists make work about identity, they reveal all aspects of themselves.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Gender and sexuality in art Study Guide
• Identity, art and self-expression Study Guide
• Mapping identity Study Guide
• Personal to universal: art as connection Study Guide
• Religion and belief in art Study Guide