a group of people in society who share particular qualities which that society associates with being male, female or another identity

a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a person or thing

noticing or showing the small differences between things, instead of thinking everything is the same

Gender and sexuality in art

Art and design

Curating identity: choosing what to show in art

Mapping identity

Identity, art and  self-expression

Personal to universal: art as connection

Religion and belief in art

This unit explores personal identity in art through self-expression, mapping, storytelling, and the interplay between personal and universal themes. Pupils will engage with a variety of art forms while considering how identity is shaped and communicated.

Personal identity

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Gender is who you are attracted to; sexuality is whether you are male or female.

Gender is about identity; sexuality is about who you're attracted to.

Which of the following best describes the difference between gender and sexuality?

A person’s identity and how they see themselves

By showing personal experiences and challenging stereotypes

By focusing solely on landscapes and nature scenes

By ignoring identity and attraction topics

How can art explore gender and sexuality?

They both refer to elements of a person’s identity

Gender and sexuality can change over time

What is a common misconception about gender and sexuality?

To make the artwork look unfinished and random

To create rhythm, repetition, or symbolism

What is one reason artists use patterns in their work?

What visual element might an artist use to show loss?

Showing how people, places, or ideas relate to each other

Making the artwork symmetrical and balanced

Drawing straight lines and geometric shapes only

What does connection often mean in an artwork?

By letting only one person make all the decisions

By combining ideas and efforts from multiple people

How can collaborative art projects show connection?

By focusing only on technical skills and ignoring the message

By making the artwork confusing and hard to interpret

By expressing emotions and themes that others can relate to

How can a personal story in art become a shared experience for others?

Which of the following images is often used to symbolise hope in art?

Which of the following images is most likely to symbolise loss in art?

Gender and sexuality in art

Lesson outcome

Content guidance