Culture in Art / Andrew Hem

Lesson Activities & Lesson Plans

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Secondary Social Studies

Culture in Art / Andrew Hem

Andrew Hem was born during his parents’ flight from Cambodia in the wake of the Khmer Rogue genocide. His upbringing was influenced by the rural heritage of his family and the urban environment of Los Angeles, which is where his family lives now. Being positioned between these two cultures fostered his love for art. His art style is influenced by graffiti, as well as tribal and supernatural imagery. He describes his compositions, or art, as dreamlike memories inspired by personal experiences.

Watch the video and answer the questions below using information from the video and biography:

1. Where did Hem get his inspiration for the mural he created in Providence, RI?

2. How does Hem incorporate aspects of his cultural identity into his art?

3. What do you think Hem means by the phrase, “dreamlike memories inspired by personal experience?”

Evaluate and list some of the aspects in this mural:

Pick 2 of the aspects present in the mural and describe why you think Hem chose to incorporate them:

5. Extension Activity: Create your own drawing based on a dreamlike memory or past experience. Try to incorporate aspects of your own cultural heritage in your drawing.

Student Name

Date

School

Grade / Class

Teacher

Have you seen any of the murals in Lynn before?

Yes

Does studying the murals make you want to go and see them in person?

Yes

Do you think having murals in the city makes it special?

Yes

Did the mural(s), the symbolism, or the artist’s stories make you think about your life and experiences?

Yes

What could we do to make the lessons better?

If you have any questions or need assistance, email admin@beyond-walls.org

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Secondary Social Studies

Andrew Hem - Lesson Plan

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
Integrate visual information (e.g., charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

CCSS SLCA 6-8.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on discipline-specific topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Objectives

Identify the meaning of culture and various components that can make up a culture.
Describe how our cultural background influences our lives, including the art we create.
Analyze aspects of culture present within the mural.
Vocabulary: culture, cultural background, genocide, heritage

Agenda

Class discussion (create brainstorm) on the definition of culture and the various
components that make up culture (language, food, religious practices, clothing, etc)
Think, pair, share to discuss the influence of cultural backgrounds in everyday life,
including art
Pre – teach genocide, heritage
Read Hem’s bio
Watch video of Andrew Hem
Evaluate the aspects of culture present in his mural (individually, in partners, or groups)
Extension activity: create your own mural

Culture in Art / Andrew Hem

Lesson Activities & Lesson Plans

Secondary Social Studies