In our final month in the art studio, first graders are learning about pop-artist Keith Haring! Students were fascinated to learn how Haring moved to New York City in 1980 when he was just 20 years old to attend college at the School of Visual Arts. This was an exciting time to live in New York City because a lot of exciting things were happening in the art world. Haring was excited to be a part of it all, but because he didn't have a lot of money, he could not go see artwork he loved in the big museums and galleries. Haring thought this was unfair and believed that art should belong to everyone and that it should be free to the public. This inspired Haring to begin creating his artwork places where everyone could see, like the subway and on sides of building. Soon, people began to take notice of his fun, cartoony style and he became one of the most famous artists of his time!
After looking at some of Keith Haring's murals, our artists were particularly struck by the different poses that his characters made. Artists practiced recreating a few of his masterpieces with their own bodies. First graders also played a game where they changed their own body poses to reflect different emotions like angry, sad, tired, excited, afraid, in love, happy, etc.
Next artists worked in groups to create life-sized Keith-Haring inspired characters of their own. One member of the group laid across the table in a pose that conveyed an emotion. The other artists at the table used a pencil to trace around his or her body to create a silhouette on the paper. The groups then worked together to add one color to their person, using tempera paint.
By the time we were finished, our classroom looked like a Keith Haring mural had come to life!
Next, each group took their scissors and carefully cut around the contour of their character.
Finally, all four first grade classes combined their characters to make two giant murals to hang around the school for everyone to see and celebrate.
We think Keith Haring would be proud!
Cafeteria mural
First grade hallway
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