Talking Heads
We explore facial pattern using artworks that focus on expression, emotion, colour and meaning. Drawings and research are used to design and make unique head masks.
Aims (Skills, Knowledge, Outcome)
- To enable pupils to understand how artworks can communicate emotions through the use of colour, line and facial expression
- To develop pupils’ response to artworks and encourage their ability to empathise with the characters depicted
- To expand pupils’ use of vocabulary to describe emotions
- To develop pupils’ creative skills through making masks, using a variety of 3D paper construction and mark-making techniques
- To provide an exciting, enjoyable and memorable learning experience for all the pupils
What happens in the session
We view a selection of paintings, sculpture and ceramics. Through discussion and role-play we explore how artists have depicted emotions and moods through the use of colour, line and facial expression.
In the Studio we use mark-making and collage to create 3D ‘emotional bag-head’ masks, which can be taken back to school.
How to prepare for the session
Discuss the range of emotions that people experience. Using role-play, ask pupils to act out how they would feel in different situations.
Other possible activities:
- Ask pupils to collect photos and images from newspapers and magazines, which show a variety of facial expressions. As a class, in small groups, or individually, let pupils choose appropriate words to describe the pictures.
- Ask pupils to make a collage of different photos and images from newspapers, which illustrate one word. This can be a positive word such as hopeful, cheerful, enthusiastic, confident, or a negative word such as agitated, distressed, embarrassed, or terrified.
Bring a minimum of 1 adult to 10 pupils. Please ensure that adults are briefed to be aware of their supervisory role and responsibilities for engaging the children. Bring a bin liner or cardboard boxes to transport the masks back to school.
What people are saying about the session
“Pupils enthusiastically respond to the challenge of creating their masks, filling the studio with an excited buzz of activity. They come away with a sense of achievement.”
For more information including booking, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment, please go to plan your visit.
