The Art of Symbols

Symbolism

Using symbols in artwork and language has been a tradition for centuries.  Symbols date back 20,000 years ago to the cave paintings in Lascaux, France.

Easily communicate your thoughts and ideas 
Symbols provide meaning and help humans communicate.  Even language is a form of symbolism.  Every letter that we write or type is considered a symbol representing something.  Every doodle or drawing that we create is a form of communication.  We are expressing our thoughts and ideas through lines and shapes.

O say can you see?

One of the most famous and recognizable forms of symbolism is the American Flag.  The white stars against the blue background, along with the red and white stripes, portray freedom and independence from the kingdom of Great Britain on July 4th, 1776.  Today we refer to the holiday as Independence Day or the 4th of July.


How does the star spangled flag make you feel?

I feel independent, proud, and joy for my country.  Symbols can bring out many different types of feelings.  These feelings relate to your life experiences and your history with that particular shape.


Yowsers! Really?!


Your turn...




How do you feel?
Scroll through the artist renderings of the american flag below and write down the first feeling that comes to mind.

Artist: Keith Haring, American (1958 - 1990)
Title: American Music Festival - New York City Ballet
Year: 1988
Medium: Serigraph Poster

Source Rogallery

Description: Three Flags by Jasper Johns, 1958.

Displayed in Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

Source: http://www.newyorkartworld.com/images/anycphoto/JasperJohnsFlags-400x263.jpg

Peter Max

"American Flag with Heart"

1999

Works on Paper (not prints)

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Paper

Source: http://www.artbrokerage.com/Peter-Max/American-Flag-with-Heart-34486

125 pound fiberglass American Quarter Horse sculpture

Gary Ward 

Source: http://www.pantex.com/news/blog/Pages/Horse-sculpture-reflects-site's-patriotism.aspx#sthash.i48WdaZ3.dpuf

Leoma Lovegrove

10' x 18' canvas

Remember 9/11

source: http://pineislandnews.com/Pine_Island_News_Blog/content/lovegroves-mammoth-art-exhibited-prime-area-rsw-airport

Pierre Riche

"Melting Flag"

2007

source: http://intlaffairs.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=132129525

Great job!  Bravo!
Take those feelings that you wrote down and contemplate them.  What life experiences contributed to your feelings? Now, incorporate them into your own artwork.  Post your art where we can see it on Facebook/Square1Art.  Go one step beyond and write up some children's art lesson plans about symbolism.

Your thoughts...
Do you have any creative ways that you teach symbolism to your kids or students?  Leave us a comment below.