Materials: scissors, glue, and different types of paper tissue paper, construction paper, magazines, newspaper, fabric scraps, and even older discarded art projects)
Directions:
1. Define what is a collage (art made by sticking various things together) and what is abstract art (art that uses form, shapes, colors, and textures that can be totally independent from reality).
2. Share images of abstract art from various artists. Show the possibilities of abstract art that replicates real life (Matisse, Kara Walker, Picasso).
3. Offer students a challenge: make an image using only shapes.
4. Have students brainstorm ideas to get started to create their own abstract collages. These can be representational or non-representational.
5. Restrict materials for finished products to only include scissors, glue, and paper.
6. Explore paper through ripping, cutting, and gluing to make explosions of color and shape.
7. For students having difficulties, help them draw an image and use the paper to “color” it in.
8. For students who like to get messy, have them try layering the paper like paint or sculpture.
9. Encourage students to experiment with going beyond the boundaries of their “canvas” (paper). The final product does not have to be a rectangle.
10. Have students name their work and explain the process or what they like about it. Recognize unique differences in each work as students create truly abstract works that are individual to each of their likes and interests.
