In our latest middle school art project, we explored the work of René Magritte, a famous surrealist artist, by recreating one of his most iconic paintings, The Son of Man. But instead of placing an apple in front of our faces, we each chose something that represents our own personal interests. This allowed us to not only learn about surrealism but also express our individuality in a fun and creative way.
Who Is René Magritte?
René Magritte was a Belgian artist known for his contributions to the surrealist art movement. Born in 1898, Magritte's work often combines ordinary objects in unusual or dreamlike ways, challenging viewers to see the world differently. His paintings are filled with mystery, illusion, and thought-provoking imagery. Magritte liked to blur the lines between reality and imagination, creating art that makes us question what we see and how we interpret it.
One of his most famous pieces, The Son of Man, is a self-portrait of a man wearing a bowler hat, with a green apple floating in front of his face. Magritte explained that the painting represents how we always hide part of ourselves from others, no matter how much we try to show. This theme of hidden identity resonated with many of us as we considered what objects would represent our own interests.
Our Project
In this project, we used oil pastels to create our own versions of The Son of Man, but instead of an apple, each student chose an object that holds personal meaning to them. Some examples included musical instruments, sports equipment, food or even books. By placing these objects in front of our faces, we paid homage to Magritte's surreal style while also creating art that is uniquely ours.
Oil pastels were a great medium for this project because of their rich colors and smooth texture, which allowed us to blend and layer colors easily, giving our work depth and vibrancy. Plus, they offered an opportunity to practice technique while experimenting with surrealist ideas. Yes, we broke out the baby oil and q-tips to help blend on some.
What is Surrealism?
Surrealism is an art movement that started in the early 20th century, aiming to explore the unconscious mind and present a reality beyond the logical or realistic. Artists like Magritte, Salvador Dalí, and Max Ernst used dreamlike imagery, unusual combinations, and strange juxtapositions to challenge traditional ideas about art and reality.
This project allowed us to dive into the world of surrealism, where things aren't always what they seem, and creativity knows no bounds. The process taught us that art can be a way to express deeper thoughts and ideas in ways that words can't always capture.
By stepping into Magritte's shoes and adding our own twist, we learned that art is not just about what we see—but also about how we see it.
Happy Fall Y'all! Welcome October...1969
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