TOM from Home: Shapes and Eyes (Grade K-3)

Image Credit: Daphne Odjig, Water Spirits, 1975. Acrylic on Canvas. Gift of the Womens' Gallery Committee, 1976. Collection of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

An activity for discovering Indigenous woman artist, Daphne Odjig. Odjig was born in Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island, ON, she is of Odawa-Potawatomi-English Heritage. Odjid's artwork includes bold lines and bright colours in the Woodlands Style. Odjid incorporated Indigenous narratives and themes in her artwork. In 1971, Odjid founded the first Native run fine art print house in Winnipeg, she was also the founder of the Indigenous Group of Seven.

This activity has been designed and created by Muriel Farmer, MA Candidate Nova Scotia College of Art.

Curriculum Notes: Activity participants will explore the elements of shape, space, colour, texture, and variety. Shapes from are emphasized by cutting out shapes from paper and layer them. Soft texture is explored by bending pipe cleaners into shapes. Layer materials in a space to explore composition. Designed for Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 3 (Age 3-8).

Materials:

• glue

• bristol paper

• coloured paper and paper scraps

• scissors

• modelling clay

• pipe cleaners

• styrofoam balls cut in half

Description:

This activity allows for participants to explore shapes and forms. They will cut out their own shapes from paper and bend forms with pipe cleaners. Participates will also discover layering and cluing shapes in a given space. They will further their imagination by looking for any recognizable representations such as eyes and faces in the forms they have created.

Look Deeper at Daphne Odjig's Water Spirits

• How many creatures do you see? Are they animals or something different?

• How many colours are there? Can you name them?

• What do you think they are doing? Are they floating or swimming?

Image Credit: Daphne Odjig, Water Spirits, 1975. Acrylic on Canvas. Gift of the Womens' Gallery Committee, 1976. Collection of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

Activity

Step 1

Cut out shapes of coloured paper. Be careful scissors are sharp!

Step 2

Use the glue to stick the shapes on the paper. Try to layer shapes on top of one another!

Step 3

Bend your pipe cleaners into shapes

Step 4

Use the modeling clay to fill in areas with colour. Glue on the balls for eyes.

Be careful if using hot glue!

Step 5

Take your marker and draw some eyes

Explore!

Do you see any faces in your art? People? Animals?

Are you up for a challenge to create shapes with multiple arms and zig-zags?

Try using a marker to outline your shapes and lines!

Share your creations with us @TomThomsonArtGallery

For more information on Daphne Odjig visit this link