Lorna Simpson is a groundbreaking African American artist whose work explores themes of identity, race, and gender. She often uses photographs and mixed media to question historical and cultural narratives, combining images with text to tell a deeper story. Her art is known for its thought-provoking nature, often leaving viewers to consider who gets to define history and how we view personal and collective identities.Lorna's mom was Cuban and her father was Jamaican. Which allowed me to discuss Hispanic Heritage Month with this art lesson.
Inspired by Simpson’s innovative approach, we decided to celebrate Boss' Day at Maclay Middle School with a special twist. We created a unique art project in her style, using a photograph of our very own Middle School Head, Mrs. Rubio-Gomez. The students experimented with Simpson’s signature techniques—layering photographs with texture and patterns—to create a tribute piece that celebrates both her leadership and heritage.
This lesson tied in perfectly with Hispanic Heritage Month, as Mrs. Rubio-Gomez is a proud leader in our school community, and the students were able to explore how art can honor both personal and cultural narratives. We even made a reel capturing the creative process, which we posted on Instagram @MaclayFineArts for the entire school community to enjoy! (and, you too if you take a looksy)
This art project was a powerful way to teach the importance of representation in art, engage with a celebrated contemporary artist, and recognize a beloved figure in our school. It’s a testament to how art can connect us, both to history and to each other, all while reinforcing key concepts in visual storytelling and creativity.
Would I teach this again? Absolutely! Below are cards we used for our gift. Do you have the MEME maker app? If not, check it out.
