Class: Mixed Media
Teacher: Ms. Roberts
Grades: Upper School
Students in the Mixed Media visual arts course took a trip to Praise Shadows art gallery to meet with artist Jamal Thorne and tour his exhibition Freeze Tag Hustlers Gang. Thorne spoke to students about his creative process, his goals as an artist, and how students can elevate their own work with simple techniques.
Prior to the visit, the class made preparations to ensure they would get the most out of the experience. Discussions on how galleries differ from museums set the stage for the visit. A TED talk from Thorne, The Art of Emotional Vulnerability, served as an introduction to the artist and his work. Students also researched Thorne to find a piece of his art they connect with most and, once at the gallery, it became their goal to analyze their chosen piece in person.
What made the biggest impression on me in this field trip was the detail and technique in his drawings. It was really interesting to see them not on a screen and being able to notice all of the cross hatching and the colors behind and incorporated in them.–Student reflection
A common theme throughout the questions asked by students was that of spontaneity vs technique; how can an artist achieve technical skill in their craft without sacrificing the element of spontaneity and emotion? Thorne’s work provided a profound answer to this, with each collage mixing trash and scraps of packaging with immensely detailed hand-drawn portraits. “Once you learn to trust yourself, it becomes a lot easier,” Thorne says. “Not only does it become easier, you become curious about what else can happen… That’s something you will find your own answer to.”
The one thing that made the biggest impression on me was when Jamal was talking about how collages’ leave room for chance.–Student reflection
The visit served to inspire students through Thorne’s commitment to his purpose as an artist. Black heroes such as Chadwick Boseman and Nipsey Hussle appear frequently in Thorne’s work, touching on his goal to inspire and pay homage to the work his heroes have done before him. Seeing this imagery mixed in with packaging, religious symbolism, and references to pop culture showcases Thorne’s identity as an artist and his exploration of identity itself. Upon returning to Beaver, these concepts of identity and symbolism stayed at the forefront of students’ minds.
Thorne was eager to chat with students, walking them through his work and asking their thoughts. Students were encouraged to look deeper into each collage and ask questions regarding what is shown, what is hidden, and what sticks out most. Thorne instructed students to continue adding layers to their own collages until new meaning emerges. One student even shared photos of his work with Thorne, to which the artist provided feedback and praise.
Students returned to Beaver with new motivations and inspiration for their work. In their junk books—old books the class uses to write notes and sketch–students recorded reflections on the experience and details from their favorite pieces.