Friday, February 24, 2012

Adinkra Symbols


Adinkra symbols
A little time in the sun, before we started our project, drawing with sidewalk chalk.
Adinkra symbols
A full class!
Adinkra symbols    Adinkra symbols
One of my favorite sources for art projects is Adinkra. These west African symbols are meaningful and fun to draw. I ask the kids to pick 4 symbols that represent traits they admire or aspire to be.
 
Adinkra symbols  Adinkra symbols
They drew four symbols in pencil, then oil pastel, then watercolored. They also chose one of the symbols and traced it, transferred it to fun foam and cut out a stamp. We did rubbings of the stamp, on cloth.
Adinkra symbols
Bill Wechter, a photographer from the North County Times newspaper, visited the class and took photos. Click here to see his photos.
.Adinkra symbols    Adinkra symbols  Adinkra symbols  Adinkra symbols    Adinkra symbols  Adinkra symbols
I had the kids write the African word and the meanings of each symbol on their artwork.
Adinkra symbols

Adinkra symbols

Adinkra symbols
Adinkra surface design! (They used their stamps and oil pastels to do rubbings on cloth)
Adinkra symbols


3 comments:

Sharon Gorberg said...

Oh Jane,
I love the Adinkra symbols. Years ago I did a project with my middle schoolers they made huge banners using the symbols.

The kids' work is beautiful.
African art offers such a rich cultural exchange for kids. When I retire can I come and teach with you??????? :)

kateykatzak said...

What a beautiful learning experience! If you are not busy can you come and share at my afterschool program in Dallas? kendra.pratt@gmail.com

kateykatzak said...

Hi I would love to speak with you about your program! Kendra.pratt@gmail.com