Trinity Church Iconography Project
Students read the book written by Pauli Murray, "Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family." Trinity Church, a local community partner, had an upcoming exhibition on the life of Pauli Murray (more information on this found here). We partnered with them to produce a series of works that would tackle the issues of identity and perceptions. The students talked to an iconographer who told them about the history of icons and showed examples to them. A lesson plan was formulated that engaged the students to create 3 works of art on wooden panels that followed a historical color scheme, included a picture of themselves, a title, and an interpretation of a "halo." Students in the first panel would try to portray visually how others might view them (in this case the student chose "The Minority"), then in the second panel how they viewed themselves ("The Independent Latina") and in the third panel, how they wish to be viewed ("The Voice"). Students worked through a design process that started with taking photos that are printed on vellum to convey a desired expression, gesso and paint a background, and create a "halo" before mounting the 3 panels on custom metal frames provided by Trinity Church and their designer.
Students in the advanced art class studied Murray’s life and legacy, as well as icons from many cultures and time periods, before creating their work. “The hardest thing for me was figuring out how I see myself,” Consuelo Piedra, a senior, said. “I don’t know who I am. I’m on the verge of figuring that out.”
After creating these works of art the students had their work on display in St. Paul's Chapel in Lower Manhattan in cooperation of the Pauli Murray Foundation and Trinity Church. Students were able to meet and talk to Murray's living relatives and interact with the viewers of the exhibition before taking home their framed work.
For more information, including lesson plans, reference materials, and assessments please contact me.
Pauli Murray: Imp, Crusader, Dude, Priest was open February 17-March 21. The Exhibit’s opening reception began at 6pm, March 1, and was open to the public.
