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During the COVID-19 lockdown, I’ve been teaching my high school (secondary school) photography students about Appropriation Art. For one of the assignments, they had to create work inspired by Yasumama Morimura.

Adèle eavesdropped on my online lessons, and asked to do the same project.

So we gave it a try and it was SO much fun!

Why You Should Recreate a Famous Painting Using Photography

Doing this activity has many advantages for the developing brain of your child. Here are a few reasons why you should try doing it together:

1. 1. Pretend play helps social development, language development, emotional development and physical development
   2. It helps develop thinking skills
   3. Being silly encourages your child to develop a sense of humour
   4. It’s a fun bonding activity that will help you connect with your child
   5. It will teach them Art History
   6. It will help your child learn about photography
   7. Having a photo of your fun family activity will be a special souvenir for your child to treasure!

How to Recreate a Famous Painting Using Photography

1. Research appropriation art. Here is a fun article that has some examples.
2. Find a famous work of art that you will use as inspiration. Museums, like the Louvre, haven online catalogues of images on their websites, so that is an excellent place to start. 
3. Older kids can sketch ideas for a photo shoot and then list props, costumes, setting, etc. Younger kids can collect all the necessary materials together with you. Here is a photo that Adèle took of me as Frida Kahlo. We used an eyeliner for the brow/moustache, Adèle’s tutu for the head and a Vintage Pendant Tray (that Adèle made into a necklace) instead of a medallion.

   

4. Pay attention to where the light source is coming from in the work of art and try to set up your shoot in a similar light setting.
5. Take photos and HAVE FUN! 🙂 And if you’d like to share your creations with us, please post them in the comments below. We’d LOVE to see what you come up with!