Symbolic Portraits: Outside/Inside
Artform: Book-shaped wooden boxes

Goals/Objectives 

Using a small, hinged box, participants use a three-dimensional container to explore who they are. They work with photographic self-portraits to create the outside images, followed by objects and text art for the box interior to express what inspires and sustains each of them. 

This workshop was developed to train Artful Disclosure facilitators to experience self-reflective art-making in order to be more comfortable with the process and feel equipped to replicate and adapt it for their communities. This is designed to be a half-day workshop: an hour of preparation, two to three hours of art-making time, and an hour for group reflection on the work. 

Inspiration 

To prime the pump, begin by viewing some artists’ use of portraiture and photography, noting how prevalent selfies have become today. 

Artists we viewed include:  

• Russell C Smith/mixed-media portraits. 
• Ahn Yun/unconventional selfies 
• Yayoi Kusama/artist known for her infinity mirrored room installations, using one infinite image within her installations 
• William Klein/abstract photography  
• Loui Jover/artist who combines his passion for drawing with the art of collage, including “Deconstructed Frida” and “Majesty” 

Studio Work  

We asked participants to do some preparation before coming, including some introspection about themselves.  

For Outside/Inside, we requested five printed black and white self-portraits taken on their phones. (Ideally these would be printed on Canon matte paper. Matte paper plays well with other art materials). Two 5x7s plus extra close-ups of the face, hands, eyes, lips, etc. offer more creative options. Attendees are also encouraged to bring in small personal three-dimensional objects to incorporate inside or outside the box: costume jewelry, watches, pins, buttons, glasses, recipes, maps, photos, passports, fabric, miniature picture frames, a chosen text, poetry. 

Begin the creative process by perusing the myriad materials spread across the work area. Be free: cut up photos, collage images together, incorporate assorted materials and paint. As the art-making begins, so does the process of homing in on ideas and themes in your life. 

Materials 

• Inexpensive wooden hinged boxes, approximately 8”x 6”x11/2” inside and a 7”x10” lid 
• Scissors and pencils 
• Acrylic paint and brushes 
• Mod Podge glue, both gloss and matte finishes 
• Magazines for collage 
• Fabric scraps 
• Vintage books 
• Stencils 
• Containers for water  
• Paper plates for paint and glue 
• Personal materials brought to workshop 

Reflections 

Be sure to make enough time for each participant to share her decisions and challenges with the group. They can describe their process, symbolic meanings, and chosen texts. We recommend filming the presentations so they can be shared after the workshop.