Easter Island Heads

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Easter Island Head using drawing techniques in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, organic), space (positive, negative), and texture (smooth, rough) inspired by the Rapa Nui People from Polynesia
• Use art element: line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and design principles (balance, composition, repetition) based on Monolithic Art
• Define Moai (gigantic carved stone figures found on Easter Island)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. View of the Northeast of the Exterior Space of the Quarry, with several moai (human figure carving) on the slopes (2021) Trustees of the British Museum

2. Read Among Stone Giants: The Life of Katherine Routledge and Her Remarkable Expedition to Easter Island by Van Tilburg

3. Discussion Questions "What do the moat figures of Easter Island represent? How were the moat carved? Who made the moai on Easter Island? What happened to the figures from Easter Island in 1978? What is the language spoken on Easter Island? What are the mysteries of Easter Island? What is Isle De Pascua? What happened to the Rapa Nui civilization? What resources would have been limited on Easter Island? What is the most widely accepted theory for the purpose of the late statues Moai on Easter island?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 8 X 12 Construction Paper

2. Add line types (contour outline continuous) to the positive space (face) of the statue drawings

3. Outline line types (contour outline continuous) with the neutral colors (black brown grey) for the Easter Island Heads 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Easter Island Heads for Assigned Tables

2. Moai on the Hillside of Rano Kau (1500 CE) Trustees of the British Museum

3. Discussion Questions "What are the Main on Easter Island? What is life like for Indigenous people today? Are the lines curved, straight, thick, or thin? What types of shapes do you see? What are the colors of these statues? What do you think the colors on the statues are form? What are the similarities and differences between these stories? What can you see? What do you think the meaning behind this image is? What do you like about this image? What are some art elements and principles you can see?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use warm colors (red orange yellow) to fill in the positive space (face) of the statue drawings

2. Use cool colors (blue green purple) to fill in the negative shape (background) of the statue drawings

3. Use embellishments (plastic eyes, bubble wrap, brown paper) to fill in the positive space (face) of the Easter Island Heads

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Easter Island Head for Assigned Table

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

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to fill in the positive shape (face) of the statue drawings

2. Add shadows (cast shadow, reflective shadow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the statue drawings

3. Add details (eyelashes, old stone, grass) for the positive space (face) and negative space (background) of the Easter Island Head

Artist Examples

Student Examples