Art doesn’t just reflect the world — it engages with it.
Art is broadly defined as the expression of ideas and emotions through a physical medium. Throughout history art has been used to capture the pain and joy of immigration. In other incidents, art has been used to marginalize and stereotype different immigrant groups.
For this assignment you will search for a piece of art, think of art broadly, related to immigrants and/or immigration issues. You can search online, in your neighborhood, at one of our many art museums, etc. Select a piece that speakers to you at a personal level.
Submit a copy of the selected art piece, either through an image, video, or sample. Write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on the specific art piece. Respond to the prompts below as part of your paper.
General information on the art piece.
Why did you select this particular piece of art?
Who is the artist and what is the context of this piece (e.g., artist background, historical context of the time the piece was created, etc)
How does this piece connect to content we are discussing as part of our class?
This assignment aims to help support your understanding of various ways we are exposed and engage with immigrant issues. Beyond coffee shop conversations, news reports, social media, readings, films/documentaries; there are other ways we interact with immigrant issues. A focus on art provides a window into a moment in time and allows us to reflect more deeply on how these issues impact others. This assign hopes to support your understanding of these works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context. It will also build your capacity to engage in critical response and articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
