The Secret Language of Object
Students explore how objects can symbolize ideas, focusing on the Renaissance period when artists used symbols to tell stories and convey messages.
In this project, students explore how artists use objects as symbols to communicate deeper meanings. Focusing on the Renaissance period, they examine how symbolic imagery was used to tell stories or express ideas, learning how visual cues can convey complex emotions and narratives.
Building on these insights, students reflect on personal experiences tied to a specific emotion. They identify objects that symbolically represent that emotion for them, and then create a colored pencil drawing that combines both the object and the emotional moment. This project encourages introspection, visual storytelling, and an understanding of how symbolism has long been used as a powerful tool in art.
Good for:
All Ages
Student Examples
Kari P. , Thailand
“This is about the trip I took with my dad. I did the candy, and all the candy wrappers, to show that I had lots of fun and I got spoiled on my trip. I showed the cat by the couch, and I showed claw marks, because my dad gets scared when he sees her doing that, and I wanted to show that we did a few scary things when we were on our trip. I also showed that we went to the lake by the campsite, and that we saw a bunny, and I chose the plants to show that we were outside a lot”
Emerson, 3rd Grade, Portland Oregon “Fun Days”
“Well, in the picture there is half of my face peering over the table and I am wearing a crown which represents how proud I am of holding the kitten, which the drawing is about. On the table I am looking at a lollipop and some mint candy, and that represents how sweet the kitten was because they are sweet! There’s some hot chocolate which is warm, because the kitten made me feel cozy and warm. And I’m looking at a s’more because they are fun to make and the kitten was fun to hold.”