Gwendolyn Knight

Gwendolyn Knight, Girl (Self-portrait), 2004

CONTEXT CLUES:

Gwendolyn Knight was born on the island of Barbados in the West Indies but spent most of her adult life in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. In the 1920's and 30's, Harlem was a big center for African-American art - music, dance, art, fashion, literature, and theater. Knight's artwork was often inspired by the artists around her as well as her own African ancestry.

Though Knight was about 90 years old when she made this painting, the picture represents her at the age of 23. What do you think of her expression in the painting? Is she gazing back at something sadly? Lost in thought? Turning away in anger?

More (NOT self-portraits) by Knight:

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Self Portrait Gallery

Look through the gallery and choose 3 self-portraits that you personally find interesting. Click on the photos for more information about them.

Pablo Picasso

LEFT PHOTO: Pablo Picasso, Self Portrait , 1896 (age 15) RIGHT PHOTO: Pablo Picasso, Self Portrait Facing Death, 1972 (age 90) CONTEXT CLUES: Picasso was taught to draw from a very young age and was allowed to start taking classes at an art college at the age of only 13. However, at age 16 he dropped out of art school to pursue his own ideas about art. His paintings became increasingly unique and abstract. Self Portrait Facing Death was painted less than a year before Picasso died. He drew himself with huge, wide eyes facing forward and a blue-green skin color. How do you think he was feeling when he made this artwork? More self-portraits by Picasso, in the order they were made:

Jean Michel Basquiat

LEFT PHOTO: Jean Michel Basquiat, Self Portrait as a Heel , 1982 RIGHT PHOTO: Jean Michel Basquiat, Self Portrait as a Heel (Part 2) , 1982 CONTEXT CLUES: A "heel" is slang for a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy; someone with no sense of loyalty or honor. Why do you think Basquiat would choose to describe himself this way? Jean-Michel Basquiat is considered to be one of the most influential Black American artists of the late twentieth century. Basquiat did not have an easy life - his mother had severe depression and went to live in a mental hospital when he was 13 and a disagreement with his father left Basquiat homeless for a while as a teenager. As an artist, his focus was on equality in the society, racial segregation and livelihood, especially in America. Source: Jean-Michel Basquiat Biography More self-portraits by Basquiat:

Self Portraits

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