Minds Inspired Cubism and Geometry

Gordonn Solomon, Harold’s Picky Head Boy, 2010.
Inspiration Artist: Gordon Solomon
Subject Areas: Art, Mathematics (geometry)
CUBISM AND
GEOMETRY
In this Packet
This lesson inspired by the work

of Caymanian artist Gordon
Solomon teaches students about
basic concepts of geometry and
how they are used in the modern
art discipline of Cubism.
In a follow-up art activity,

students will create their own
Cubism-style self-portrait
using geometrical shapes.
Lesson Vocabulary
Angle: The space between two lines at the point
where they meet.
Cubism: A style of modern art known for the

breaking up and putting back together of objects
and shapes.
Composition: The way a mixture of different

parts comes together into a whole.
Three-dimensional: Not flat. Having length,

breadth and depth.
Geometry: A type of mathematics that looks at

lines, shapes, angles and dimensions.
Line: A long extending mark, straight or curved.
Subject: The person, object or thing that is being

discussed.
Symmetry: Exact parts facing each other around

a central point.
What is Geometry?
Geometry is a type of mathematics that looks at

lines, shapes, angles and dimensions.
Here are some simple geometrical shapes and concepts

that you may already know:
Circle: A round figure where all Square: Four connected Triangle: A figure
the sides are the same straight lines that are with three
distance away from the centre all the same length, straight sides and
point. with four right angles of three angles.
the same size.
Angle: The space between

two lines at the point where
they meet.
Three-dimensional: Not flat. Having

length, breadth and depth.
What is Cubism?
Cubism is a style of art that is best known through the
work of famous artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
In 1907, these two artists created a revolutionary art
form that changed everyday objects into geometric
shapes. It was a whole new way of looking at what they
were painting! They would break their subject up into
many different shapes (sometimes physically and
sometimes just with their imagination), then paint it from
different angles. Before this, the popular way of painting
was called 'realism'. In 'Realism' the subject of the artwork
was painted exactly as it appeared in real life.
There were two main types of Cubism:
Analytical Cubism - The first stage of the Cubism

movement was called Analytical Cubism. In this
style, artists would study (or analyze) the subject and
break it up into different blocks. They would look at
the blocks from different angles. Then, they would
put the subject back together by painting it from
different angles and viewpoints.
Synthetic Cubism - In this stage of Cubism, other

materials were added into a collage. Artists could
use coloured paper, newspapers, and other materials
to represent the different part of the subject.
How is Geometry Used
in
Cubism?
In Cubism, objects are taken apart into geometrical
shapes, analysed and then put back together — but
not always in their original order or size!
Cubism is known for making complicated, three-

dimensional objects appear to be flat. This style of
art also often ignores 'symmetry''. Symmetry means
that one shape is exactly like another when you
move it in some way: turn, flip or slide. For two
objects to be symmetrical, they must be the same
size and shape. There can also be symmetry within
in one object, such as a face.
Cubism uses imagination to play with shapes,

angles and dimensions in order to think about
objects in a new and interesting way.
Local Cubism Art
In Harold’s Picky Head Boy, Caymanian artist
Gordon Solomon uses a brightly coloured
geometric composition to make it seem as if his
subject is popping up and oﬀ of the canvas. In this
semi-autobiographical work, the artist claims the
title of ‘Picky Head’ and in doing so overturns the
derogatory nature of the term through a positive
and confident visual language. He has used many
different shapes in different sizes and colours to re-
imagine the landscape. He has used both flat and
three-dimensional shapes in different sizes and
groups to create many ways of looking at and
understanding the painting.
International Spotlight
Check out these international Cubism artists who have
created artwork using geometry.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso is well-known as one of the original creators of
Cubism. His Cubism paintings are some of the most famous in
this style. Take a look at his portrait, such as The Weeping
Woman (1937) and Girl Before a Mirror (1932).
Learn more at:

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/pablo-picasso-1767
Georges Braque
George Braque was a 20th-century French painter, printmaker
and sculptor . With Pablo Picasso, he developed Cubism. Some of
his most famous Cubism paintings include Violin and Candlestick
(1910) and Bottle and Fishes (c. 1910-1912.
Learn more at:

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/georges-braque-803
Art Activity
Materials:
Drawing paper (regular printer paper also works
fine)
Crayons, coloured pencils or markers
Pencil
Scissors
Glue stick
Mirror (or photograph of yourself)
Textured materials such as felt or fabric (optional)
Using a mirror or a photograph of yourself, draw a picture of

your own face. Colour in your picture - don't be afraid to
choose bold and bright colours! Cut your finished picture up
into different shapes of different sizes. As you cut, can you name
what shapes you are creating? Now, put the picture back
together in a new way. You can organise your shapes into a
composition you like first before gluing them down.
*Older students can try this exercise using textured or 3D

materials like felt, old fabric, magazine clippings, buttons or
old book pages.
Follow-up Questions
Look around your house. What different shapes do you

see? Are there any objects that are made up of many
shapes?
What shapes do you see in Gordon Solomon's painting?
Why do you think Gordon Solomon used Cubism to do his

painting?
Do you think Cubism can help you to look at everyday

objects in new ways?
What shapes, angles or dimensions did you use in your

portrait?
Did you find it difficult to put your portrait back together

in a new way? Why or why not?

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Gordonn Solomon, Harold’s Picky Head Boy, 2010.

Inspiration Artist: Gordon Solomon

Subject Areas: Art, Mathematics (geometry)

This lesson inspired by the work

In a follow-up art activity,

Cubism: A style of modern art known for the

Composition: The way a mixture of different

Three-dimensional: Not flat. Having length,

Geometry: A type of mathematics that looks at

Line: A long extending mark, straight or curved.

Subject: The person, object or thing that is being

Symmetry: Exact parts facing each other around

Geometry is a type of mathematics that looks at

Here are some simple geometrical shapes and concepts

Angle: The space between

Three-dimensional: Not flat. Having

There were two main types of Cubism:

Analytical Cubism - The first stage of the Cubism

Synthetic Cubism - In this stage of Cubism, other

Cubism is known for making complicated, three-

Cubism uses imagination to play with shapes,

Learn more at:

Learn more at:

Using a mirror or a photograph of yourself, draw a picture of

*Older students can try this exercise using textured or 3D

Look around your house. What different shapes do you

What shapes do you see in Gordon Solomon's painting?

Why do you think Gordon Solomon used Cubism to do his

Do you think Cubism can help you to look at everyday

What shapes, angles or dimensions did you use in your

Did you find it difficult to put your portrait back together

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