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      Food and personal narratives

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can reflect on the cultural identity of food to make a collaborative artwork.

      Key learning points

      1. Artists use food to create sculptures, installations, or paintings, exploring its form and visual appeal.
      2. Food can reflect cultural identity and personal experiences, prompting discussions around our shared identities.
      3. Artists have often been inspired by food as a tool to bring people together and use this connection to create work.

      Keywords

      • Symbol - an object shape or sign which can be used to represent something else

      • Tradition - an inherited belief, principle or custom

      • Recipe - a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish

      Common misconception

      Food is only for eating and cannot be used as an art medium.

      Food can be used as an art medium because it evokes the senses and carries deep cultural and emotional meanings.

      Teacher tip

      Greater contextual information on the artists work can be found in the additional materials. Embracing the traditions and values of different cultures can bring many new experiences into someone's life.

      Equipment

      A range of fruits and vegetables or images, pencils, pencil crayons, paint, paper, fineliners, oil pastels, computers or other means to search the internet.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - equipment

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does identity in art usually refer to?

      the use of bright colours and abstract shapes
      Correct answer: by expressing personal, cultural, and social experiences
      the materials and tools used to create the artwork​

      Q2.
      What does the term culture refer to?

      the geographical landscape of a region​
      someone's personality
      Correct answer: the shared beliefs, customs, arts, and behaviours of a group of people

      Q3.
      How can identity be expressed through art?

      Correct answer: through portraiture
      Correct answer: through symbolic imagery
      Correct answer: through assemblage

      Q4.
      How can assemblage be a tool to express identity?

      Correct answer: It enables the artist to explore personal narratives.
      It is a way of gathering people together.
      It teaches someone how to build.

      Q5.
      How can mark-making be used on an assemblage piece?

      Correct answer: through scratching into the surface of objects or surfaces
      Correct answer: by piercing a surface
      Correct answer: dragging paint covered threads across a surface

      Q6.
      Which symbol could represent the Welsh culture?

      a woodpecker
      a bottle of milk
      Correct answer: a daffodil

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Which artist is known for creating oversized sculptures of fruits?

      Van Gogh
      Correct answer: Ming Fay
      Banksy

      Q2.
      What is a symbol in art?

      Correct answer: an object shape or sign which can be used to represent something else
      a random design used purely for decoration
      a literal object that has no deeper meaning

      Q3.
      Why does food appeal to artists as a source of inspiration?

      It is cheap to buy.
      Correct answer: It offers a huge range of shapes, colours, textures and forms.
      You can eat it afterwards.

      Q4.
      Is it possible to use actual food ingredients to make art with?

      No, it's too messy and sticky.
      No, it would smell terrible.
      Correct answer: Yes, it is a diverse medium to make art with.

      Q5.
      How does food connect people?

      by providing a distraction from serious topics
      through its nutritional content
      Correct answer: by offering a shared experience that fosters tradition, and cultural exchange

      To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Food and personal narratives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...