Latin American Art
Latin American art lessons can provide a way to explore different cultures, the lives of famous artists, and much more.
By Daniella Garran
Art provides important insight into the culture and traditions of civilizations. An examination of Latin American Art is a wonderful way for students to learn more about the region as part of a social studies, art, or Spanish class. A thorough analysis of the region’s art will help students learn about the history and natural resources of the area, as well as the social and political issues the people face.
Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera are two fascinating individuals who are, perhaps, the most famous artists to hail from Mexico. They have been featured both in film ("Frida") and on television. Their works are a reflection of life in twentieth century Mexico and a window into themselves as individuals. A study of these artists and their works provide an excellent opportunity for students to engage in some self-portraiture.
Mural painting is an especially rich tradition in Mexico. These masterpieces often reveal the struggles of the Mexican people and the social, economic and political issues with which they have been faced. After examining the work of well-known muralists, such as Diego Rivera, you can have students create a mural that depicts issues faced in your town, your state, your region or your nation. Some wonderful images of famous murals can be found online.
Teachers desiring to help students understand the similarities and differences among the nations in Latin America may choose to have students study artists native to each nation and then report to the rest of the class, with a special emphasis on the style and subject matter of various artists. They should also be encouraged to create a work of art in the style of one of the artists they have studied. What follows are additional lesson to teach students about Latin American Art.
Latin American Art Lesson Plans:
Amate Bark Paintings/Folk Arts of Latin America
Students learn about the traditional folk art of Amate bark painting, which is native to Mexico. They learn how boiling the inner bark of certain trees creates a stretchy, paperlike substance on which drawings and icons can be painted painted. Then, students have a chance to create their own Amate bark paintings on the bark, if available, or on brown butcher paper, if not.
This highly engaging interdisciplinary lesson allows students the opportunity to read, write and create works inspired by Latin American Magic Realism. Although this lesson contains plans for ten class sessions, it can be modified easily to focus on a particular element.
Students learn about the development of glyphs and the artistic traditions of Latin America. This lesson is particularly well suited to those studying the ancient Maya, Inca and Aztec cultures. This lesson outlines a plan for how students can learn to write their names in Mayan glyphs and how they can learn to weave and make molas.