VA COMP | High School Art | Cultural Abstract Portrait

Student Artist

February is Black History Month. I introduced Jean-Michel Basquiat to the class for this unit. Basquiat was an American Artist from New York who was most known for his graffiti and paintings. Basquiat's work expressed social and cultural commentaries. He used symbolism and words along with abstract depictions of people. Basquiat was a part of the modern Art Movement, Neo-Expressionism, using expressive art elements to convey a message.

The Art Students were shown a powerpoint presentation and were given a hand-out for this Art Lesson. In the hand-out, Art Students were prompted to answer a list of questions pertaining to personal, social and cultural subjects. They could decide how to incorporate these answers into their Abstract Self-Portrait. Using mixed media, the Art Students displayed Art Elements: line, shape, color and Principle of Design: pattern. Art Students were encouraged to use expressive color, to fill the composition, and to show artistry and craftsmanship. 

Student Artist

Student Artist

Karrie Brewer

Cultural K, 2019

Acrylic & Ink on Bristol board

9 x 12 inches

NCHS (Art Teacher example)

(Teacher example detail)

(Teacher example detail)

GEORGIA STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE | VA COMP

VAHSVA.CR.1 Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art. 

VAHSVA.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art. 

VAHSVA.PR.1 Plan, prepare, and present works of art for exhibition in school, virtual environment, and/or portfolio presentation. 

VAHSVA.RE.3 Engage in the process of art criticism to make meaning and increase visual literacy. 

VAHSVA.CN.1 Develop personal artistic voice through connecting uses of art within a variety of cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts. 

VAHSVA.CN.2 Develop life skills through the study and production of art (e.g. collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication).