What is identity? Webster's dictionary states identity is "the distinguishing character or personality of an individual; the condition of being the same with something described or asserted." Identity begins with our names, addresses, family groups, and cultural backgrounds, but how does it grow from there? Is identity how we see ourselves or how others see us? Is identity what we are or how we would like to be? Do we form our own identity or do others form it for us? Can identity be changed? Why is it important to express our identity?

DISCUSSION

Artists express their identity when they make art. Do they give us clues about themselves and their identity in their art? How have these artists expressed identity through their works?

Frank Gehry often uses images and forms of fish in his work. Why do you think he does that? What symbols did James Rosenquist include in his painting, World's Fair Mural? What do these symbols represent? What symbols does Pepón Osorio use in the sculpture 100% Boricua? Why?

Chuck Close's Big Self Portrait and Kiki are painted in very different ways. Can you guess why?

Consider Hartley's, Portrait. Does this look like the portraits you have seen before? What makes this work a "portrait?"

The Sande Mask and Intrigue both focus on masks. What is a mask? Describe the differences between the masks shown in these two works. Describe the similarities.

On a piece of paper, ask students to list things that form their identity such as names, addresses, family groups, peer groups, and cultural backgrounds. Ask students to voluntarily share subjects from their lists to make a larger class list of forms of identity. Discuss items that many people had in common from their lists.

Give each group of students one question about identity from the introduction and discussion questions. Have each group choose one person as a scribe to write down the discussion and another as a reporter to make an oral report back to the class.

OR:

Write questions from the introduction and discussion questions on slips of paper, one for each class member. Each student will choose one of the questions from a hat and write a page in their journal about it. During class, ask students to share what they learned from writing about identity. Ask for volunteers to share responses to the questions.

WORKS OFART

1. Africa, Sierra Leone, Sande Society Mask, 20th century, Wood, raffia, H. 13 in. The Christina N. and Swan J. Turnblad Memorial Fund 72.69.1 MIA

2. Chuck Close, Big Self-Portrait, 1968, acrylic on canvas 107-1/2 x 83-1/2 in.
3. Chuck Close, Kiki, 1993, oil on canvas, 100 x 84-1/8 in. WAC

4. James Ensor, Belgian, 1860-1949 , Intrigue, 1911, Oil on canvas, H. 37 1/4 in., W. 44 1/2 in. Gift of Mr. John Sargent Pillsbury 70.38 MIA

5. Frank Gehry, Standing Glass Fish, 1986, wood, glass, steel, silicone, Plexiglas, rubber, 264 x 168 x 102 in. WAC

6. Robert Gwathmey (1903-1988), Nobody Here Calls Me Citizen, 1943, oil on canvas, 14 X 17 in. WAM

7. Marsden Hartley, Portrait, 1914-15, oil on canvas, WAM

8. Pepón Osorio, 100% Boricua, 1991, wood, glass, Plexiglas, paper, fabric, metal, plastic, 79-3/8 x 33-1/2 x 20-1/2 in. WAC

9. James Rosenquist, World's Fair Mural, 1964, oil on masonite, 240 X 240 in. WAM

10. Ernest Whiteman, Inuna-ina (Arapaho), United States, born 1947, Untitled, steel and neon. H. 73x in., W, 44 1/2 in., The David Draper Dayton Fund 92.140 MIA