Social And Political Issues In Art

www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/high/Sara-social.htm

Submitted by Sara Gant, North Carolina
UNIT: Social and/or Political Issues in Art 
Lesson: Choice of media - on social and or political issues
Grade level: High School (adaptable to middle school)
Political Art for Younger Students: Constructing a President

Work above is by students from Leigh High School, San Jose CA - art teacher Ken Schwab. Heidi used a collage of her drawings done in pencil and colored pencils and antiqued with oil paint stains. Marissa's is pencil and colored pencil. Heidi's work won first place in the Art Olympiad for high school students. It is about her grandfather who was interned and lived through Auschwitz; it uses images of Hitler, skeleton arm with her grandfather's number on it and images of prisoners in mixed media. Marissa's work is her anti-war statement. 

Work shown above is by Steve Shepard His work is very political in nature - and anti-Bush. Do a search on eBay to see his current offerings. Work is copyrighted and used here with permission. You do have permission to show students his work in PowerPoint presentations. Use caution when it comes to political bashing - you know how your school officials will react. Deb Mortl recommended Steve Shepard to Getty TeacherArtExchange list.