Exploring Identity Through Portraiture

 
On a quest for inspiration, our year 10 and 12 artists had the privilege of visiting both the Stephen Friedman and the National Portrait Gallery. Through this trip, learners had the opportunity to experience art in its true context and explore the theme of identity and portraiture whilst also recording their observations by creating sketches at the galleries. 
 
When visiting Kehinde Wiley’s exhibition at the Stephen Friedman Gallery, learners were tasks with the following three objectives:  
Sketch something from his paintings that you are drawn to - this could be a face, the background, clothing, or even the way the person is positioned on the canvas - this is call composition. 
Take photographs of his work so you can put these in your sketchbook - take close ups of details and long shots to show how big they are.  
Take photos of text so you know what the painting is about and how the artist decided to use words to communicate his work. 
 
Kehinde Wiley is is an American portrait painter based in New York City. He is known for his naturalistic paintings of black people that reference the work of Old Master paintings. Reflecting on the impact of his portraiture, year 10 artist Ibraheem shared, “it was relatable to see Kehinde Wiley’s work because he celebrates black people in an artistic context. It feels like we're being seen and represented, and it motivates me as an artist.” 
 
Following our visit to the Stephen Friedman gallery, learners were given the freedom to roam through the prestigious National Portrait Gallery and choose one artwork to sketch themselves.  
 
As there was such a wide range of portraits that explored different aspects of identity and self, this trip provided our learners with ample inspiration for their own works. 
 
“I enjoyed the day, spending time getting to know classmates outside the classroom and getting to know different artists in a better way by going to a gallery and spending time with their artwork,” Ibraheem, year 10 artist. 
 

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