Ancestral Box
Visual symbols are a powerful and immediate connection to our cultural heritage. They are a reflection of cultural myths, legends, values and history. This is where art finds roots and inspiration.
BIG IDEA - To create a tableaux/memory box that honours the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history and society.
Part 1 - Collecting - Documenting
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Identify and focus on one colourful ancestor and then research and collect artifacts that relate to their history/story/culture. Possibilities - Journals, stories, cultural artifacts, objects, symbols etc.
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Involve your family members to learn about their history, personal journeys, hardships they may have had to overcome, achievements, talents and symbols.
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Think - if you wanted this individual to know something about you what would that be? How would you include that artifact from your life? Think about yourself and the connection/similarities you may have with this individual.
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Begin collecting, objects, documents, pictures, maps…… – anything that could be used in your box. Bring these into school so we can photocopy, begin manipulating etc.
Considerations when building;
- Layering
- Juxtaposition
- Selections
- Use of Symbolism
- Symbolic use of principles/elements of design
- Creating connections/relationships
I chose to honour my grandmother Carol Standfield as she was a big inspiration of mine growing up. By concentrating on the major aspects of her life, I incorporated pieces to represent her personality and her travels throughout her life.
Sophie Redcliffe
I chose to honour my great grandfather, Charlie Zimmerman in this piece. Inspired by his crazy and quirky personality I chose apples and garlic cloves to be the main focus of my piece. He would call his friends apple and every morning would boil garlic in milk, drink the milk, and eat the garlic.
Angelina Brule
Zhang Ren An, my Grandma. You came from a family of healers; to me, your past is a mystery. But instead of curing with medicine and acupuncture, you ease the pain of the Cultural Revolution with your love and compassion. Between the Heavenly and Earthly beads of your abacus, I see a career fulfilled, a family raised, and a legacy continued.
Rayna Li