Artist Adolph Gottlieb once declared "Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risk." Rolling is one of what he called his "burst" paintings which featured calligraphic brushwork and evocative shapes and colors. It is the perfect artwork for students to take thinking risks of their own as they use their imaginations to look take a closer look. Share the "Little Eyes Look: Rolling" video with students as they explore this vibrant Abstract Expressionist artwork.
Little Eyes Look! Little Minds Think!
Use this resource set to guide young learners as they explore and interpret a diverse group of artworks from the VMFA's collection. Each artwork is paired with a guided looking video and a complementary set of engagement exercises to use with your students.
Image Gallery
Little Eyes Look and Little Minds Think! What is in this Resource Set?
Use this resource set to guide young learners as they explore and interpret a diverse group of artworks from the VMFA's collection.
Under the suggested activities menu next to each artwork, you will find an educator-led "Little Eyes Look" video. Using an inquiry-based approach that fosters curiosity and creative thinking, educators introduce viewers to vocabulary related to both art-making and the subjects depicted in the artworks. As they consider artistic intention and decision-making, students are supported by factual content about artists' lives and art-making practices.
Three open-ended engagement activities are also suggested with each work. These simple exercises can be used to foster extended thinking about each piece.
Rolling (Primary Title)
Artist Adolph Gottlieb once declared "Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risk." Rolling is one of what he called his "burst" ...
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Sunset (Primary Title)
George Inness revisited the subject of sunset several times in the last years of his life. This example, painted in 1893, offers students a place to think about and make connections to the world ou ...
George Inness revisited the subject of sunset several times in the last years of his life. This example, painted in 1893, offers students a place to think about and make connections to the world outside as they look carefully at the colors, figures, and textures Innes has included in this ethereal landscape. Share the guided looking video "Little Eyes Look: Sunset by George Inness" with students to learn more.
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Boys with Banana by the Window, Bronx, NY (Primary Title)
Photographer Shawn Walker was a member of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of African American photographers. When the collective began in New York City, they selected the name Kamoinge, which m ...
Photographer Shawn Walker was a member of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of African American photographers. When the collective began in New York City, they selected the name Kamoinge, which means “a group of people acting and working together” in Gikuyu, the language of the Kikuyu people of Kenya. This example of Walker's work lets students explore ideas about place, community, and perspective as they spend time with a group of children close to their own age. Share the guided looking video "Little Eyes Look: Boys with Banana by the Window" for a closer look at this arresting image.
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Woodpecker (Primary Title)
" I love nature, I love gardening, I love watching birds, and all of that gets into the work," artist Fred Tomaselli once said. In this example of his artwork, students may find all of Tomaselli's ...
" I love nature, I love gardening, I love watching birds, and all of that gets into the work," artist Fred Tomaselli once said. In this example of his artwork, students may find all of Tomaselli's interests if they look closely, and may even discover some of their own in the process! Share the guided looking video "Little Eyes Look: Woodpecker" with students to explore this complex and beautiful artwork.
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Beautiful Night of Moon and Stars, Miyajima (Translation)
Japanese artist Kawase Hasui was trained in both traditional Japanese ink and Western oil painting. He worked primarily as a commercial illustrator until 1918 when he began to create his own woodbl ...
Japanese artist Kawase Hasui was trained in both traditional Japanese ink and Western oil painting. He worked primarily as a commercial illustrator until 1918 when he began to create his own woodblock prints. This beautiful example offers students a place to express their ideas about print-making and the natural world. Share the video "Little Eyes Look: Beautiful Night of Moon and Stars, Miyajima" with students for a closer look.
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Bloodline: The Matriarchs (Primary Title)
Central to the work of Native American artist Holly Wilson is narrative. She is interested in exploring ideas about family, community, and ancestry. Her sculpture, "Bloodline: The Matriarchs," made ...
Central to the work of Native American artist Holly Wilson is narrative. She is interested in exploring ideas about family, community, and ancestry. Her sculpture, "Bloodline: The Matriarchs," made in 2017, invites students to consider these ideas as they examine the interesting combination of human forms and natural materials. Share the video "Little Eyes Look: Bloodline: The Matriarchs by Holly Wilson" to introduce this beautiful and evocative sculpture.
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Additional Resources
Additional activities and resources that may support young students who have explored the objects in this resource set.
