New
New
Year 9

Mapping identity

I can use an artist approach to mapping my identity journey.

New
New
Year 9

Mapping identity

I can use an artist approach to mapping my identity journey.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists might use mapping through literal geography, map-like work or more subjective or abstract representations.
  2. Artists have long used mapping as a way to tell personal, cultural, and historical stories.
  3. Artists might use symbolism and unconventional media in their work.

Keywords

  • Mapping - mapping in art is about making sense of who we are, where we come from, and how we move through the world

  • Subjective - When an artist expresses personal perspectives, emotions, identity, or experiences in their work, rather than striving for objective representation

  • Symbolism - the use of objects, colours, or imagery in art to represent deeper meanings or ideas beyond their literal appearance

Common misconception

Maps in art are literal,

Artists might use mapping through literal geography, map-like work or more abstract or subjective representations of movement, memory, and relationships.


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

Encourage use of different media and scale for the final task,
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes 'identity' in art?

only physical appearance
Correct answer: who we are, how we feel, and how we connect to the world
a single, unchanging idea of a person
just a name and nationality

Q2.
Artists always reveal everything about themselves in their work.

True
False

Q3.
Which of the following is an example of symbolic representation in art?

a realistic self-portrait showing the artist’s face
Correct answer: a sculpture made from objects that represent cultural heritage
a painting with a mirror reflecting the artist’s image
a photograph of the artist wearing traditional clothing

Q4.
Match the artist to their method of exploring identity.

Correct Answer:Claudette Johnson,uses bold portraits of Black figures to explore strength

uses bold portraits of Black figures to explore strength

Correct Answer:Hassan Hajjaj,uses photography and patterns to explore cultural hybridity

uses photography and patterns to explore cultural hybridity

Correct Answer:Mona Hatoum,uses installation and sculpture to reflect on identity

uses installation and sculpture to reflect on identity

Q5.
Which of the following statements is true about the way artists most often use mapping in their work?

Correct answer: Mapping in art is about making sense of who we are.
Mapping in art is about making accurate depictions of places.
Mapping in art is about planning a physical journey.

Q6.
Which of the following statements is true about exploring identity in art?

Artists must always show their face in their work.
Correct answer: Identity in art can be explored through literal and symbolic representation.
Identity in art is fixed and never changes.
Only personal identity can be explored, not cultural identity.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How might most artists use mapping in their work?

to create accurate geographical maps for navigation
Correct answer: to explore identity, movement, and memory through art
only to represent real locations with scientific accuracy
to make roadmaps for cities

Q2.
Traditional maps always represent places accurately, while artist maps can be more subjective and symbolic.

Correct answer: True
False

Q3.
Match the artist to their mapping approach.

Correct Answer:Grayson Perry,uses mapping to show thoughts, emotions, and cultural identity

uses mapping to show thoughts, emotions, and cultural identity

Correct Answer:Natalia Nakazawa,uses textile-based mapping to explore migration stories

uses textile-based mapping to explore migration stories

Correct Answer:Zarina Hashmi,uses abstract maps to explore themes of home and displacement

uses abstract maps to explore themes of home and displacement

Q4.
Which mapping style represents identity through words rather than images?

abstract mapping
geographical mapping
Correct answer: typographic mapping
symbolic mapping