YINKA SHONIBARE (Upper Key Stage 2)

Teaching Pack

5 Lesson Presentation Slides
Knowledge Organiser
Medium Term Planning
Teaching resources
Additional Presentation: Elements of Art
Additional Presentation: Using Sketchbooks
Additional Presentation: 5 Minute Drawing
Additional Presentation: Art Museum

Unit Overview

Sequence of Learning for Teachers

In this unit of work children learn about the life and work of the British Nigerian contemporary artist Yinka Shonibare. Through the learning in this unit children are introduced to some of his most iconic work created over the past twenty-five years. Through discovering his artwork children explore ideas such as colonialism and cultural identity and have an opportunity to express their own journey through life through art. This unit of work introduces children to ideas and concepts behind the conceptual art movement.

This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following convergent task sessions:

Session 1: Introducing Yinka Shonibare

Session 2: Pattern Motifs

Session 3: The British Library

Session 4: Batik Patterned Cloth

Creative Outcome (Divergent task) – The Scramble for Africa

The unit of work completes with the creative outcome (divergent task) activity that can be delivered over two or more sessions. For the creative outcome children focus on the artwork ‘The Scramble for Africa’ a sculpture installation created by Yinka Shonibare in 2003. They examine the creative process of making sculpture before creating their own sculpture figurine based on the iconic work of the artist. These sessions can also be used for children to complete activities from sessions 1-4. The creative outcome activity provides an opportunity for children to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding from previous sessions as well as developing their creativity and understanding of the creative process by combining their imagination and ideas with knowledge and skills in art and design. The convergent tasks also provide an opportunity for the teacher to identify children who may need further support in developing skills and techniques during the divergent creative outcome task.

Learning Sequence

Session 1

In this session children are introduced to the life and art of the conceptual artist Yinka Shonibare. As part of their learning in this session, children recall and consolidate their knowledge of colour theory and colour mixing by creating a page in their sketchbook about colour. They apply this knowledge when completing a contemporary African pattern design.

Session 2

In this session children study Ankara textile patterns that are used extensively by Yinka Shonibare in his paintings and sculptures. They learn how patterns are made using line, shape and colour to create repeating motifs. They then apply this knowledge to decorate an outline drawing of a pair of shoes in the style of an Ankara pattern.

Session 3

The focus for this session is the art installation ‘The British Library’ created by Yinka Shonibare in 2014. Through learning about how the installation highlights the journey and stories of immigration into the UK, children consider their own journey and some of the images and symbols that can represent this journey. They use these images to create motifs that are then used to create patterned paper. As an optional extra they decorate a book sculpture with their patterned paper.

Session 4

In this session children learn the technique of batik that is used to create patterned decorative cloth and was the inspiration for the development of Ankara textiles. Having made patterned cloth using batik technique, children collaborate to create a whole class piece of art based on ‘Line Painting’ by Yinka Shonibare.

Creative Outcome

For the creative outcome children focus on the artwork ‘The Scramble for Africa’ a sculpture installation created by Yinka Shonibare in 2003. They examine the creative process of making sculpture before creating their own sculpture figurine based on the iconic work of the artist. Children learn that after the Second World War the African independence movement resulted in the de-colonisation of Africa and the emergence of over fifty independent countries. Children are tasked with creating a collaborative art installation that represents and challenges the viewer to think about the independence movement.

ART ACADEMY