Charles McGee Paper Sculptures
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Charles McGee Paper Sculpture using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use neutral colors (black, white, grey), shape variation (geometric, organic, free form), and form (two dimensional, three dimensional) inspired by Michigan Artist (1924-2021) Charles McGee
- Use principle of design: pattern (zentangles, swirls, nature, stripes) and design principles (emphasis, repetition, contrast) based on Contemporary Art
- Define Relief (a wall mounted sculpture in which the three-dimensional elements are raised from a flat base)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Rhapsody In Black And White (2008) Charles McGee
2. Read Charles McGee: 2008 Eminent Artist by Michelle Perron of Kresge Arts In Detroit
3. Discussion Questions "Does this remind you of a color or black and white movie overall? Is this low-key or high-key colors? What colors does he use to give a sense of sailing? What can you recognize in this artwork? What is a ritual? Does the artist make artwork for ritual purposes? Why do you think he used these images? What is line? Can you see line in this artwork? When you look at the artwork is the back and white areas balanced? Can you see a rectangular form in the composition? Does the rectangular box look like it is in front or behind the drawn objets? Have you ever looked at clouds and seen animas or different recognizable things? If you look at this artwork, do you see things that remind you of anything? What is value? What colors display different values? How does McGee create the lace-like imagery?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" by 12" Colored Construction Paper
2. Use three compositional elements (shape, color, texture) to represent a memory, place, or event for paper sculptures
3. Use line variation (stripes, swirls, dots, curls) as a design principles (balance, movement, repetition) with the Charles McGee Paper Sculptures
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Charles McGee Paper Sculptures for Assigned Tables
2. Regeneration (Drawing For Ford Hospital Installation) (2005) Charles McGee
3. Discussion Questions "Can you see what figures are in the foreground and background within the central human forms? What is abstraction? How are the human forms abstract in this artwork? What is texture? How does McGee create texture on the forms? How can artists create textures on two-dimensional art? What do you think the title of the work means? What is the difference between these two paintings? What do you think the name of the paintings mean? Why did McGee paint snakes as if he was looking at them from above? What cultures can you compare McGee's artwork too? Why do you think the artist might use snakes in his artwork? What is significant about these colors?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use compasses, protractors, and texture plates to add symmetrical shapes and expressive lines to the paper sculptures
2. Use complementary colors (red, green; blue, orange; yellow, purple) to fill in the negative space (background) of the paper sculptures
3. Use complementary colors (red, green; blue, orange; yellow, purple) to fill in the positive space (foreground) of the Charles McGee Paper Sculptures
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Charles McGee Paper Sculptures for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (glue sticks, construction paper, markers)
Lesson Activities
1. Use scissors to cut out two dimensional symmetrical shapes (circle, triangle, rectangle, oval) to create a three dimensional paper sculpture
2. Glue down three dimensional symmetrical shapes (cone, prism, pyramid, cylinder, cube) to create a simplified paper sculpture
3. Use sharpie markers to add beautiful patterns (hearts, swirls, flowers, dots) to the positive space (foreground) of the Charles McGee Paper Sculptures
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