This is a new theme I tried with my 7th and 8th graders this year. I was inspired by “Stranger Things” and the upside down world there. We looked at Surrealistic artwork and how those artist created unique worlds that included these concepts. (students were not required to use surrealism.) We started with brainstorm and planning/research phases, then rough draft and final drafts. I got a lot of basic landscapes, and 1-point perspective rooms. But some of the other work was very interesting and deep. Here are a few of my favorites. (Click on the images to see a larger version)
“Reality is Different” Watercolor and Pencil
My artwork shows the them of outside and upside-down. This is because she is pretending to be someone she’s not personality wise, and is looking at the real her in the reflection. In my piece of art you can see that the real reflection of her is upside down, and showing off the her outside personality is fake. You can also see that her real self is melting away the more that she thinks that this fabulous fantasy is real. These are the type of things show how we all sometimes have expectations of ourselves, but somethings are better if we leave them alone. Therefore, this evidence shows my theme on outside and upside-down. J.C. 7th gr
Bubble Boy Watercolor
My artwork shows the theme of outside because it shows a boy in a bubble floating over buildings. In my art you can see a billboard on top of one of the buildings. This evidence shows my theme of outside because billboards are sometimes on the rooftops of some buildings. You can also see that he’s in a bubble preventing him from falling to the ground. These are the type of things that help people understand that the theme is outside because bubbles float in the air and if the bubbles are big enough to hold someone then the bubble takes them wherever the wind goes. O.B. 7th gr
On the Inside Mixed Media Collage/ Shadow Box
My artwork, shows the theme of Inside. This is a colorless boy with a red heart. In my art you can see a boy in a box with no color except his heart. You can also see the box has color on the outside, showing the boy is being neglected from the colorful world outside the box. This evidence shows my theme of Inside because the boy is inside the box, away from society, with his heart the only color left in the box, inside him. T.C. 7th gr
Upside Down Mixed Media/ Collage/ Watercolor/ Ink
This piece of art shows the theme of upside down. I believe this fits the theme because of how you can interpret many ways. Like what way is the right side up, or which way is the water flowing in the art? In the piece you can see water flowing and splashing in different ways, as well as color pallet that compliments each other color. These are types of things that causes you to see it on different ways, or whatever way you want to interpret it. All in all, this shows the theme of upside down. S. H. 7th Gr
Inside and Outside are Upside Down /Digital
My artworks hows the theme of inside and outside being destroyed. This is the inside and outside of an office. In my art you can see a man being pulled into a black hole with the carpet. You can also see a black hole outside. These are the type of things that show the inside and outside of an office being destroyed. This evidence shows my theme of the inside and outside of an office being destroyed. S.B. 8th gr
Mermaid/ Pencil
My artwork shows the theme of inside & outside. For example in my art you can see a mermaid, with long hair; who is sitting all alone on the moon. You can also see she is slowly decaying and flowers are growing on her dying body(i thought about how people put flowers on a grave). She is disappearing in the universe looking at earth wishing to swim in the ocean waters again as well. This evidence shows how i displayed the theme of inside & outside. R.D. 8th gr
You can see more of this theme on our Artsonia. https://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=1462786
