when an artist expresses personal perspectives, emotions, identity, or experiences in their work, rather than striving for objective representation

the artist’s purpose or motivation behind creating a piece of work

Identity, art and  self-expression

Art and design

Curating identity: choosing what to show in art

Mapping identity

Personal to universal: art as connection

Gender and sexuality in art

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

to gain fame and recognition for their art

to connect with themselves on a deeper level

Why might artists make art as pure self-expression?

inspired by her grandmother who was part of the Windrush generation

created intensely autobiographical drawings and fabric pieces

created large-scale abstract paintings rooted in personal expression

Match the artist to their approach to artistic self-expression.

Art is always displayed in galleries and museums.

painting as part of a Dreamtime story, a way to pass down knowledge

carving (whakairo), weaving (raranga), and tattooing (tā moko)

shokunin through pottery, paper-making, or cooking

Match the culture with their creative practice.

Mapping helps people plan and navigate their journeys.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of mapping?

Artists have long used mapping as a way to tell personal, cultural, and historical stories.

distorts or reinvents locations to highlight subjective experiences or themes

uses standardised formats and often relies on data and scientific methods

incorporates collage, painting, textiles, installations, and digital media

Which of the following are methods of artist mapping?

represents thoughts and emotions as a fictional geography

explores themes of identity, displacement, and migration

explores themes of home, displacement, borders, and migration

Match the artist to their use of mapping in their art.

Which of the following could be key moments or experiences that have shaped your personal identity journey?

Some artists make art as an act of pure self-expression.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Identity, art and self-expression

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.