Seeing how all the pieces fit together!

After many hours of  painting with two layers of finishing work (gel & varnish) - everyone got a chance to put a hand in the creation...time to begin the layout and see how the pieces finally are beginning to fit together to construct out Ndebele-inspired homestead!

Beaded Ndebele Dolls (uphophi)

Mama Freemman brought in two of her special Ndebele dolls called uphophi -
These dolls are created with a cloth base and then very fine imported seed beads in multiple colors are strung to fashion the dolls in beaded clothing from head to toe. These examples are from the mid-20th century and display the popular beaded aprons that are worn by Ndebele woren. We don't know the artists' names who created them, but they are very fine indeed. The students used them as 3-D models to create their own drawings using various lines and color to create a 2-D rendering of one of the dolls. Notice the geometric designs that mirror the ones on our wall paintings that we are studying. Object-based learning and storytelling are part of the process...more on that later.

Preparing to Paint!

The wall is ready for painting...we gathered all the materials that we needed for painting - not just paint, but drop cloths,rollers, brushes, painter's tape, buckets, paper towels, rags, pencils, levels, and a general master design of where the background colors go! Am I forgetting anything? Oh yes, the camera to document our progress. We were so lucky to have Guiermo Zelaya, parent at Ideal, volunteer to help us over the holiday weekend - we couldn't have done it without you and your son's shared efforts and talents!

BEGINNINGS

THE WALL.
With the completion of the renovation of a former recycling facility, Ideal Academy was ready for its students. However, the 70-ft. white wall (see photo) on the main floor of Ideal Academy was such a large empty expanse that it cried out for an artist's touch...

Principal, George Rutherford, asked if the National Museum of African Art would partner with their school to create a mural on the great wall. After much discussion, I decided to introduce the students to the tradition of wall painting in South Africa among the Ndebele for inspiration. For generations, Ndebele artists have combined bright colors and complex geometric shapes to create innovative designs on the front walls of their houses. Mural decoration is done by Ndebele women who express great individuality and style. Contemporary paintings use a wide variation of color: blues, greens, reds, and yellows...

Photo: Ndebele Artist Nation, 1995.

...pink, violet, rust, brown, and other paints depending on what was available on market day. And always outlined in black.


Deborah Stokes
Education
National Museum of African Art

Our mural project began with the students being introduced to the art and techniques of wall painting in Africa. Students, teachers, and administration explored the idea behind creating a mural in their own school, and agreed on the theme of Community and Accomplishment. The goal is to create a welcoming space on the large expanse of interior wall at Ideal Academy Public Charter School. (see photo)