Virtual Resources
At-Home Art Activity
Our exhibition of ceramics by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) drawn exclusively from NSU Art Museum’s collection, is presented on the 50th anniversary of the artist’s death. Picasso’s early 20th-century cubist paintings revolutionized modern painting. A prolific artist, he produced over 50,000 works in a variety of mediums, including drawing, printmaking and sculpture. Although Spanish-born, he made France his home. Following World War II he met Suzanne and Georges Ramie, the owners of the renowned Madura ceramic workshop in Vallauris, a small seaside town located in the South of France. He became so enthralled with the ceramic medium that he moved to Vallauris in 1947, and remained there until 1955. He continued to experiment with the clay medium for the next 25 years, producing thousands of original and editioned vessels, bowls, and plaques that he transformed into all kinds of beasts and mythological creatures. Inspired by his experience with lithography, Picasso was excited by the possibility of creating ceramic multiples that would enable him to share his vision with a wider audience. This populist sentiment connected him with the artisans he worked with at the factory. He identified with their sense of purpose and the satisfaction they derived from their craft.
Materials
Model Magic
Cardboard
Paper goods
Scissors
Markers
Art Vocabulary
Kneading – The process of massaging or squeezing clay with the hands.
Vessel – A hollow container.
Hand-building – The construction process of ceramics that does not involve a wheel. These techniques include pinching, coiling, or slab-building that clay.
Objective – An adjective to describe the subjects of an artwork if it depicts something recognizable and existent in our real world.
Figurative – Related to the human figure or body.
Sculpture – Three-Dimensional Artwork
Three-dimensional – when all three dimensions– length, height, and width– can be touched and seen.
Virtual Resources
Inspiration for your Imagination
Installation view of Pablo Picasso: Dust You Are, To Dust You Return, 2023. Image courtesy of NSU Art Museum
Art Activity
Instructions
Step 1
First, choose a color to draw with marker on your clay and mix the clay around.
Step 2
Make a base out of model magic using a tube as a cookie cutter.
Step 3
Flatten a larger piece of colored clay and wrap it around your base. Push the two pieces together so they stick.
Step 4
Turn your pot into a face or animal by adding small features. Use scissors to cut the clay into shapes.
Step 5
Add your features on by pressing the clay pieces softly together. Be careful not to smush your creation!
Step 6
Keep adding to your piece until you are happy.
Grab a marker and draw on your clay.
Step 7
Enjoy your new artwork!
Art Activity
Notes
Thank you for joining us, dont forget to snap a photo of you and your artwork!
Tag us @nsuartmuseum
*If you have any questions about these art activities please contact NSU Art Museum at [email protected] or call 954-262-5500*