• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

  • Art & Artists
  • Art Connection Activities
  • Art Teacher Tips
  • Elements & Principles
  • Downloads & Resources
Home
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
    • Art & Artists
    • Elements & Principles
    • Art Connection Activities
    • Art Teacher Tips
    • Downloads & Resources
  • Book
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

February 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Artists that Inspire Delight, Emotion, and a New Perspective

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Art teachers are constantly asked about their favorite artists. And while it’s pretty impossible to choose a favorite, we all have artists that inspire us in various ways. The Art Ed Blogger’s Network has decided to write about these artists that inspire in this first post of our new monthly series. Check out some of my favorite artists below and then see the other art teacher blogs for the artists that inspire them.

AEBN Artists That Inspire Us

When I think about what I like about art and what art draws me in, I seem to have a couple different criteria.

  1. Art that delights or surprises me.
  2. Art that makes me see the world in a new way.
  3. Art that makes me feel something.

I’ve chosen my favorite artists for each of these categories. When I see their art in person, I am moved and changed in some way.

Artists that Inspire Delight: Nina Katchadourian

I recently visited the Cantor Center for the Visual Arts at Stanford University (totally worth a visit by the way! amazing museum) where they had a special exhibit on the work of Nina Katchadourian. I have never been so totally delighted by an exhibit. I laughed out loud over and over and over again at the absurd and the awkward and the unusual content of her work. She is a perfect artist to include in your classrooms as she is an artist that inspires looking at the world through different lenses and taking joy in the absurd. I definitely will be writing about her more in the future!

There were more than 30 of these book spine poems in the exhibit that read like haikus. What a perfect art experience activity for a trip to the school library (although that may make the librarian scream!)?

Nina Katchadourian, Sorting Shark, 2001
Nina Katchadourian, Sorting Shark, 2001

“Can you be a serious artist and also have humor in your work? I would say history proves the answer is yes. In fact, I would say history also proves there are times the only way you can talk about serious things is actually through humor. I also think humor is, as a tool for an artist, as a strategy, a very quick way in, a very useful way of getting people…inside and then you can do something else to them.” – Nina Katchadourian

Nina, Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015

Since I told you how funny Nina Katchadourian’s art is, I can’t leave you hanging! This is her work The Genealogy of the Supermarket, 2015. In the work, Katchadourian studied famous faces on common grocery store packaging and organized them into one big family tree. I couldn’t get the whole thing in one shot, but here are some of my favorite pairings.

Nina, Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket, 2015
Nina Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina, Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina, Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina, Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015
Nina Katchadourian, The Genealogy of the Supermarket (detail), 2015

Learn more about Nina Katchadourian.

Artists that Inspire a New Perspective: Fred Wilson

Art helps us look at the world in new ways, and that is where Fred Wilson excels. In his work, he takes varying objects and puts them together to make statements about our world.

Fred Wilson, Mining the Museum
Fred Wilson, Metalwork 1793-1880, Mining the Museum, 1992, Photo: Jeff D. Goldman. Contemporary Museum, Baltimore.

For example in Metalwork 1793-1880, he places an exquisite silver tea set next to a set of slave shackles, dating them and labeling them stoically as an objective label text to show that these are the types of metalwork. The silver set by itself or the shackles by themselves would give a completely different meaning than they do placed together and labeled.

“I get everything that satisfies my soul from bringing together objects that are in the world, manipulating them, working with spatial arrangements, and having things presented in the way I want to see them.” – Fred Wilson

His art is fun to discuss with students because the Wilson rarely makes the art he creates. He makes the art through the juxtaposition of objects. Excellent for an aesthetics discussion!

Learn more about Fred Wilson.

Artists that Inspire Emotion: Kathe Kollwitz

Kathe Kollwitz, Killed in Action, 1921
Kathë Kollwitz, Killed in Action, 1921

I love art that makes me feel–art that takes the breathe right out of chest, makes me cry, or makes me feel uneasy. I also love art that connects me to my humanity, connects me to other people feeling the same things I feel. You can tell that Kathë Kollwitz, a German artist of the early 20th century, feels deeply as she creates her black and white drawings and prints. We feel connected to the people in her pictures in visceral ways, and I always leave a work of hers feeling different than I did before looking at it.

“While I drew, and wept along with the terrified children I was drawing, I really felt the burden I am bearing. I felt that I have no right to withdraw from the responsibility of being an advocate.” – Kathë Kollwitz

Learn more about Kathë Kollwitz.

Artists that Inspire my Life: Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932
Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932

I was going to stop at three artists that inspire, but I can’t talk about being inspired by art without mentioning the impact of Picasso on my life. In 2004, I was knee-deep in applications for my PhD in art history when I went to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston to see the traveling exhibit of the most famous works from the MOMA while NYC museum was being renovated. When I saw Picasso’s Girl Before a Mirror, I was punched in the gut. I couldn’t leave the painting. I cried and was totally mesmerized. While standing there looking at this painting, I rethought my whole future. I decided that I never want to NOT feel like this when looking at art. I became worried that if I were to dive too deep into the details of the art history, that art would lose its magic so I changed my course to Art Education instead of art history because I wanted everyone else to experience the magic of art as I see it. I see magic and life and love and all that is amazing in the world in the bold colors of Picasso’s paintings, and they never cease to catch me off guard.

“Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.” – Pablo Picasso

Art Teacher Blogs
This post is a part of The Art Ed Blogger’s Network: Monthly Tips and Inspiration from Art Teacher Blogs. On the first Tuesday each month, each of these art teacher blogs will post their best ideas on the same topic.

Participating Art Teacher Blogs:

  • Art Class Curator – Artists That Inspire
  • Art Ed Guru
  • Art is Basic
  • Art Room Blog
  • Art with Mr. E
  • Artful Artsy Amy
  • Capitol of Creativity
  • Create Art with ME
  • MiniMatisse
  • Mr. Calvert’s Art Room Happenings
  • Mrs. Boudreaux’s Amazing Art Room
  • Mrs. T’s Art Room
  • Party in the Art Room
  • shine brite zamorano
  • Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher
  • There’s a Dragon in my Art Room
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Art Ed Blogger's Network

 

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

How to Avoid Classroom Management Problems in the Art Roomearly finisher activities for art class6 Early Finisher Activities Featuring Works of Art5 Tips for Meaningful Classroom Art Discussion

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Cindy Ingram, the creator of Art Class Curator and The Curated Connections Library

I’m on a mission to revolutionize education with the power of life-changing art connections. Art is not “extra”. Art is essential. We are empowering teachers to bridge the gap between art making and art connection, kindling a passion for art that will transform generations.

More About Me

Free Worksheets!

-Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets-

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Download

Free Worksheets!

-Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets-

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Enrollment in Curated Connections Library is currently open. Click here to join. Join our list to get more information and to get a free lesson from the vault! If you are purchasing for a school or school district, head over here for more information.

Check Out What’s New In The Shop

Experience Art: Engaging Art Criticism Discussions and Activities for Teachers and Students of All Ages
Call to Art: An Un-Conference for Art Educators
Curated Connections Library Membership
Perspectives High School Curriculum

More Products

Have You Listened to the Latest Podcast Episode?

Falling for Naudline Pierre’s Evocative Art: A Conversation with Madalyn (Part 2)

More Episodes

Testimonials

I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs, feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."
Erin A.
Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!
Denise W.
Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!
Melissa G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
Caroline G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.
Maryjane F.

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

Enter your email address to get regular art inspiration to your inbox
plus a BUNDLE OF 6 FREE WORKSHEETS!
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.
Download

Free Worksheets!

*Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets*

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Copyright © 2025 Ignite Art, LLC DBA Art Class Curator •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy Policy  •  Terms of Service  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs