• 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

April 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Scarred for Life: Using Art to Analyze the Small Moments that Define Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Inside: An exploration of Tracey Moffatt artwork that looks at the moments that scar us, including discussion questions and classroom activities tailored to middle and high school students.

There are moments that stay with us, both good and bad. Sometimes they are big moments that we know are coming, prepare for, and catalog in our memory. However, the moments we remember are often small and unannounced, leaving a watermark on our lives.

Tracey Moffatt Artwork

Our brains tend to focus on the negative moments, the dark events that mar our innocence and cause us pain. Those small but not insignificant moments are the subject of some Tracey Moffatt artwork, especially her 1994 photo series Scarred for Life.

Tracey Moffatt artwork
Tracey Moffatt, Telecam Guys, 1977, 1994

Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

Join the List

Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

Scarred for Life

Tracey Moffatt is a contemporary Australian photographer and filmmaker whose work focuses on cultural and societal norms and tackles issues of sexuality, history, representation, colonialism, and race. When I first discovered her work and scrolled through the Tracey Moffatt artwork on the Tate’s website, I found myself feeling a bit of anxiety and discomfort.

I leaned into my emotions, as we should when looking at art. Listening to our feelings allows a deeper exploration of both the art and ourselves. I noticed that all of the photographs from Scarred for Life have captions that, while not necessarily explaining the photos, add layers to what we see. For example, the caption on this artwork is: Her father’s nickname for her was ‘useless’.

Tracey Moffatt artwork
Tracey Moffatt, Useless, 1974, 1994

Each photograph documents brief, bitter family moments that are universal in their relatability. The details differ, but we all endure small digs at our self-worth that bring us down and subconsciously teach us about society, how it works, and where we fit (or don’t fit) in.

Tracey Moffatt artwork
Tracey Moffatt, Doll Birth, 1972, 1994

Gender is another theme that runs through Moffatt’s work. In this photograph, entitled Doll Birth, 1972, the caption reads: His mother caught him giving birth to a doll. He was banned from playing with the boy next door again. The cultural pressure for children to conform to gender roles is lessening, but we still normally expect girls to play house and look pretty while boys get dirty and play with cars. This photograph invites us to imagine the child’s perspective, but it also speaks of the mother and society at large.

Tracey Moffatt artwork, especially this photo series, is an excellent choice to share with middle and high school students who are striving to understand themselves and find others that will understand and accept them. They need to know that the brief, bitter moments do not define who they are and that they are not alone in experiencing them. It’s also important for them to consider how words affect people and how we process negative messages.

Tracey Moffatt Artwork Discussion Questions

  • What’s going on here?
  • What do you see that makes you say that?
  • How is the person in this photograph feeling right now? How can you tell?
  • What feelings do you feel towards this person?
  • How does the caption change how you feel towards this situation?

Classroom Activities

The captions are an important part of these artworks. They add to our interpretations and change the narrative. There are a couple of ways you can illustrate their importance to students with writing activities.

Have students study the picture without the title and caption. Then, have them write a story of her life and what she is thinking. (Alternatively, they can write a letter from her perspective, which there is a template for in the Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle.) Afterward, have students do the same thing with the second photograph. Reveal the titles and captions and discuss how they add a new layer of meaning.

Or, divide the students into groups. Show some groups the artwork with the caption and others the artwork without the caption. Then, have them write a story or letter and compare their interpretations when they finish.

Extensions

Assign a photography project in which the students take photos of their own lives and add captions to deepen the meaning of the photograph. The subject may be too personal for some students. If so, you may choose to let them focus on a more general issue, such as a story about someone they know or someone in the public eye.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: tracey moffatt

 

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Art Around the World in 30 Days – Day #11 – Ancient EgyptYinka Shonibare The Swing 700x1000Yinka Shonibare’s The Swing: Culture and Identity in a Global SocietyArt Around the World in 30 Days – Day #4 – Japan

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 Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Download

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

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