Harold Hollingsworth Abstractions 

Learning Targets 

I can...

• Create an original Harold Hollingsworth Abstraction using drawing techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric organic free form), form (two dimensional, three dimensional), and value (lightness darkness) inspired by American Artist (1979-Present) Harold Hollingsworth
• Use design techniques (gradient letter spacing grid) and design principles (contrast movement emphasis) based on Contemporary Art
• Define Recompose (to rearrange or restore a composition)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Cola (2020) Harold Hollingsworth

2. Read Museum Shapes by The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art

3. Discussion Questions "How does the location or context of the work affect its meaning? What are the subjects, issues, and themes important to artists working today? What role does beauty play in contemporary art? Does a work of art need to be beautiful? Why is art important? What role does art play in our society? What value is placed upon artists and their art, and why? What makes something a work of art? Is art defined by particular boundaries? IF so, what are they and how have they changed over time? What distinguishes visual art from other forms of visual communication like advertising, design, or photorealism? Who decides what a work of art means- the artist, the critic, the viewer? How does history and the passage of time affect the meaning of an artwork? What are the most important skills an artist can have?"

Lesson Activities

1.  Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Draw three recognizable form (letters numbers flowers) for positive space (foreground) of the abstract work

3. Draw three recognizable forms (letters numbers flowers) for the negative space (background) of the Harold Hollingsworth Abstractions 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Harold Hollingsworth Abstractions for Assigned Tables

2. Plumb (2016) Harold Hollingsworth

3. Discussion Questions "What are the most important skills are artist can have? What materials and tools do artists use to create art today? Have the tools changed over time? Where do artists find inspiration? What is the difference between working alone and collaborating on an artwork with fabricators, audiences, or others? In addition to museums and galleries, where else can art be shown? How does the location or context of a work of art affect its meaning? What are the subjects, issues, and themes important to artists working today? What role does beauty play in contemporary art? Does a work of art need to be beautiful? Why or why not? Who decides what is beautiful?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use drawing techniques (contour line outline) to add basic shapes (geometric organic) to the positive space (foreground) of the abstract work

2. Use drawing techniques (contour line outline) to add basic shapes (geometric organic) to the negative space (background) of the abstract work

3. Use drawing techniques (contour line outline) to add details (pattern repetition form) to the Harold Hollingsworth Abstractions

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Harold Hollingsworth Abstractions for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, scissors, markers)

Lesson Activities

1. Use analogous colors (red blue purple) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the abstract work

2. Use analogous colors (green blue purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the abstract work

3. add design details (geometric shapes, borders, patterns) to the positive space (foreground) and negative space (background) of the Harold Hollingsworth Abstractions 

Artist Examples

Student Examples