Stereotypes and Symbols

STEREOTYPES AND SYMBOLS How is identity communicated visually? A sense of identity is shaped by such things as our relationships to other people and the shared experiences we have together. It is formed by the community, time and place that we belong to, by our gender, by our social role and status,and by the way we choose to present ourselves to the world. Some of these things remain constant throughout our lives; others change. Stereotypes and symbols are drawn from these factors and are often used to show a person’s characteristics or the position within a social structure. They have common currency- we all understand them within our own culture- and they are often visual, so they are very useful for artists. However they do not always cross cultural or historical boundaries so they need explaining to people who are unfamiliar with them.

QUESTIONS How do you want to be seen by other people? What object would you use to emphasise yourself? How do you want to be seen by other people? The interpretation for the paintings’ is only one persons view, write what you think the painting means? Choose one artist and use their style of mark making within your own work. Produce a self-portrait using symbols and objects that represent you. This could be in a mixed media piece of work.

‘Elizabeth 1’ Nicholas Hilliard. OIL ON WOOD. 78.7 x 61cm Understanding the Signs and Symbols At this time the red rose= virginity/the Virgin Mary/the Tudor Rose. The phoenix jewel= immortality and power. Use symbols within your own work, incorporate meanings for your portrait.

‘The Artist in Her Studio’ Paula Rego 1993 Much of the late twentieth- century art, when not specifically autobiographical, has become oblique self-portraiture-it flickers with references to the artist’s identity and experience. Here the painter portrayed is not the artist herself, yet the references and the people in the painting (including her grandchildren) are powerfully connected to her - it could be thought of as a surrogate self-portrait.

‘Self-Portrait with Badges’ Peter Blake c1961 born 1932 Peter Blake was one of the leading exponents of English pop art. Blake depicts himself wearing a denim jacket(itself a sign of American pop culture) encrusted with badges referring to mainly American icons, including Elvis Presley and Pepsi Cola. Mix images from contemporary culture and your own life.

‘Self-Portrait with Monkeys’ FRIDA KAHLO c1943 Monkeys were part of Kahlo’s private mythology, representing the children she never had.

‘Untitled#193’ Cindy Sherman 1989 Colour Photograph The photograph is from a series of roles produced for imaginary films. She uses these charades as a way of analysing female gender stereotypes. Q) What period of time do you think she is depicting?

‘No Woman, No Cry’ Chris Ofili born 1968 Mixed-media, 1998 The painting is dedicated to Stephen Lawrence, and to Lawrence’s family. There are many symbols within this painting some refer to the stereotypes associated with black culture. Other symbols refer to Ofili’s sadness at the death of Stephen Lawrence, within the tears of the woman are collaged images of Stephens face and the words ‘R.I.P, Stephen Lawrence’.