COLLAGE INSPIRATIONS: The Work of El Anatsui

 El Anatsui    Detail of  his work exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum

When artists use collage, they incorporate elements that come from the world into their drawings, paintings and sculptures. Put within a new context, these elements take on new meanings. The image above is a detail of one of El Anatsui's amazing pieces. His inspiring work was on display in his one person exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in 2013. Here is a link to more information about the exhibition: Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui.

TREASURE BOX COLLAGE

Assorted collage materials include tissue paper, ribbons, and beads.

Beads and sequins make great decorations.

Glue and Water Mixture

One option for decorating the box  is to create a glue and water mixture and apply it over colorful tissue paper. This mixture is about  three teaspoons of glue to one teaspoon of water. 

Applying glue over tissue paper.

Ribbons are easy to find and make great accents. 

Making personal choices about what goes where is part of the pleasure of creating. 

Treasure boxes can be made from almost any kind of box, such as shoe boxes, tea boxes or anything with a lid. The three dimensional quality of a box gives kids a great surface for experimenting with collage.  A child might be inspired to collect treasures to keep in it once it is done. This collection can consist of all kinds of things that a child might find interesting--pebbles, bottle caps, stamps, trinkets, beads, just to name a few.

VALENTINES: NOT FROM THE STORE

There is no such thing as a right or wrong way to make a valentine. Making valentines is a great way to let someone know you care about them. They are also a fun way to explore color, shape, texture and material. Lots of things can be used to make valentines: wrapping paper, construction paper, ribbons, doilies, scrap paper, tissue paper and anything else that you think might work.