Identity “The set of behavioural or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable. The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality”

Some portraits of people are instantly recognisable around the world

But how much does a painting or photograph tell us about a person?

Some artists use light and shade to express more about a person Rembrandt 1657S G Daryani

Some use colour Edvard Munch ’Friedrich Nietzsche’ 1906 Andy Warhol ‘Marilyn Diptych’ 1962

Some use brushstrokes Derek Russell ‘Bob Marley’ 2012 Van Gogh "Self-Portrait," 1889 Alan Firmin, ‘Self Portrait’ 2012

Sometimes the portrait has a background that will tell us more about the person. Bojidar Dimitrov 2008 Tamara De Lempicka Leonardo Da Vinci ‘Mona Lisa’ 1503– 1519

Sometimes symbols or objects are used to tell us more. Hans Holbein the Younger ‘The Ambassadors’ 1533 Jan Van Eyck ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’ 1434

Or personal objects that tell a story Peter Blake ‘On the Balcony’ Vincent van Gogh ‘Shoes’, 1888Joseph Cornell, ‘Untitled (The Hotel Eden)’ c. 1945

Artists can show us about the country they live in Frida Kahlo ‘Self Portrait’ 1940 Yang Shaobin, ‘Miners’ 2006

or the emotions they feel Frida Kahlo "The Two Fridas“ 1939 Edvard Munch, ‘Scream of Nature’ 1893

We want you to create a self-portrait that tells us a little about who you are, the things and people that are important to you and where you live. June Yarham, ‘Blue Love 2’ 2011

You can use collage Patrick Bremer Jan Hoeper ‘Portrait of Joyce’ 2000

Use words Thom Yorke 2009

Textiles Tracy Emin 'I Do Not Expect to be a Mother‘ 2002

Photographs

Or paint

Tell us about you, where you live and your life.