UVU art student Karly Tuuhetaufa is our highlighted artist this week. In her photograph, Buzz, a small child hugs a Buzz Lightyear toy. The image evokes a bit of nostalgia for the viewer looking back at childhood and remembering a favorite toy. However, because we cannot see the child’s face, this photograph’s emotional message is unclear. Maybe the way the child holds the toy simply expresses love. Maybe the child wants comforting and seeks it from a plastic toy.
Karly Tuuhetaufa, Buzz, from the 2022 Student Art Exhibition
You can view Karly’s piece online as part of the Student Art Exhibition. We also encourage you to explore the work of other artists who dive into nostalgia. Norman Rockwell’s paintings remind many older Americans of happy times when they were young. Contemporary artists also draw on nostalgia in their work: look at Jeff Koons’ balloon animal sculptures and Sarah Graham’s photorealistic paintings of toys and candy.
This project taps into memories of your past to create nostalgic art that is meaningful to you. To start, we ask you to use your senses to fully explore your memory. Then, you will create art that expresses your feelings about the past.
Materials:
● Sketchbook
● Pencil and eraser
● Any medium of your choice (paint; crayons or ink to draw; magazines, scissors, and paste for collage; a camera and old items to photograph, etc.)
● White paper, white cardstock, art journal, etc., to use as a base
● Sketchbook
● Pencil and eraser
● Any medium of your choice (paint; crayons or ink to draw; magazines, scissors, and paste for collage; a camera and old items to photograph, etc.)
● White paper, white cardstock, art journal, etc., to use as a base
Directions:
● Decide what sense(s) you want to use (sight, sound, taste, or touch) to tap into your memory. You can listen to old music, look at old photographs, watch old movies, remember your favorite treat and what it tasted like, or find your old toys or things you used to collect. What images do these sensory experiences bring to mind?
● Make notes and a quick sketch or two in your notebook to help guide your work.
● Paint, draw, take pictures, or use magazine cut outs to make a collage that represents the image you planned. You can combine these techniques, too.
● When you have completed your project, take a moment to reflect on the image you created. What does it reveal about you and your feelings about the past?
Feel inspired, be creative, and have fun!