Printmaking
A Symbol is something that stands for or represents something
else for example, some symbols that are familiar to us are, a skull
and crossbones that represents _____________________, a carved
pumpkin represents__________________, and the red octagon
represents_____________________. As we have learned, in Indigenous
culture, circles represent important principles in the Indigenous
world view and belief systems such as interconnectedness, equality
and continuity.
There are many symbols that surround us in our daily lives and
this assignment will give you the opportunity to explore the world
of symbols around you as you develop a symbol that represents you,
your current self.
Look around you. We see numerous symbols that tell us about
something whether it is about a person in relation to something (a
school logo) or an instruction to do something (traffic signs).
What symbols mean and how they work can be very powerful. What are
some symbols you see in everyday life?
Canada’s Indigenous Peoples also have a variety of symbols like
the wampum belt and nations’ flags.
The Asante People of Ghana are well known for their traditional
Adinkra cloth which is stamped with may symbols that each represent
a meaning derived from a religious or historical event.
Japanese Kanji script is a popular Japanese script out of 3
writings. These characters are symbols, a character used to express
an idea, and represents meaning in a visual way.
PROCEDURE: ( Now that you have an idea of what symbols are and
how they function, brainstorm ideas for a unique symbol that
represents your unique identity or even one of your dominant
characteristics. Let your brainstorm be in the form of sketches in
your sketchbook and think of what colours you feel best represent
your meaning. Develop three final symbols to work with. Your symbol
might represent:
(Something that speaks to your personality
(Your connection to your spiritual self
(Shapes that have cultural connotations
(An image that represents your values
(REMEMBER THAT YOUR SYMBOL MUST BE SIMPLISTIC IN APPEARANCE, NOT
TOO COMPLICATED AND MUST REMIND YOU ON “WHO YOU ARE” EACH TIME YOU
SEE IT
(Decide on a final sketch, refine it and create a repeated
pattern of the sketch. This repeated pattern will be transferred to
tracing paper and then transferred to the linoleum block. i.e.
(Turn your block over and trace your self-portrait on the back
of the softoleum.
(Using a Sharpie, colour the parts of the linoleum block that
you want to cut out, and think so that you can make sure that you
are cutting the RIGHT part of your artwork. Whatever remains, will
be what is printed onto the fabric and printing paper.
(Using the u and v-shape chisel, cut out everything that is
coloured in. Remember that the lines left behind from your cutting,
actually add interesting elements to your print so you might not
want to cut it entirely off.
(Apply the ink with a brayer and print onto paper. Do the
portrait first. Then, print your symbol.
(When you have finished, you will then complete your self
evaluation and hand in all parts of the assignment.
ASSIGNMENT: This is an assignment that involves you creating a
print that is a symbol of yourself which will transform into a
pattern. This print will be carved onto softoleum and printed. On
the other side of the softoleum, you will carve a
self-portrait.
