Middle School Up-cycled Assemblage Art in progress

How does ones environment and culture affect their artwork?

This was the introductory question to begin our lesson on the African tribal art.  We observed images of the native lands of certain African tribes and art.  The students led the discussion on how environment and culture influence their artwork.  They had so many ideas that we had to group them into the following categories: materials, subject matter, animals in their environment, beliefs, traditions.

I then asked them the same question but wanted the, to apply it to our society today.  Another geat discussion which led into the topics of waste in America and Up-cycled art.

Here is a picture from a quick review last Friday, before we observed our groups of the following items: 

E-waste, old toys, plastic, paper, kitchen items, hardware, caps, cds & cases, old art supplies, and other.

The students were eager to dive into the variety of materials.  This bottom picture was taken at the end of class...