Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS WEEK 2 Quote to ponder “I want to be the painter of my country. I am so thankful to have spent the whole of my childhood in the fazenda [coffee plantation]. My memories of that time have grown precious to me.” –Tarsila do Amaral June 2021 18 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS LET’S MEET THE ARTIST Tarsila do Amaral September 1, 1886 – January 17, 1973 Tarsila do Amaral was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1886. She was the second child in a family of five children. Her father and mother were wealthy landowners who grew and exported coffee. As a young girl, Tarsila and the other children of the household grew up on the plantation and were cared for by Black nannies. The nannies told tales from their African heritage about hauntings and other supernatural events. These stories must have been very vivid because they stayed in Tarsila’s memory and became a powerful cultural influence in her art. Tarsila went to a local convent school in São Paulo until her family moved to Spain. She attended school in Barce- lona and was introduced to art at her school, which had a large collection. Art became important to her. She learned how to paint, and her teachers were impressed with her skill. When her general education ended, the family returned to Brazil. Tarsila got married and had her only child, a daughter named Dulce (which means sweet). Self-Portrait with Orange Dress, 1921 Even though, at that time, it was not common for girls to be as educated as boys, Tarsila’s parents encouraged her to pursue her interests by educating herself. So, she did. Since she was from the wealthy class, Tarsila had opportunities to travel to Paris in the 1920s where she studied sculpture, drawing, and painting. She was introduced to Cubism, Futurism, and Expressionism. In Paris, Tarsila entertained and socialized with many soon-to-be famous artists. She was always the life of the party and would treat her artist friends to Brazilian meals which she cooked herself. June 2021 19 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS LET’S MEET THE ARTIST Tarsila do Amaral September 1, 1886 – January 17, 1973 I think that... As you watch the biography video this month, use this page to record your thoughts and ideas... I was amazed to learn... I wondered about... Doodles June 2021 20 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS ART MOVEMENTS What is Brazilian Modernism? The philosophical idea behind Tarsila’s innovative approach to art is fascinating! This aesthetic movement is called ‘anthro- pophagia’ which literally translates to mean ‘cannibalism’ because the artist is consuming a range of diverse creative influences from all over the world and then combining those ideas with their own heritage and experience to formulate something revolutionary– a completely new and original style of art. Tarsila wrote in a letter to her parents, “I want to be the painter of my country.” She wanted to introduce the ideas of European and American modernism to Brazil, but she wanted to add layers of Indigenous Brazilian elements, and also the influences from her childhood nannies, the vivid and unique natural land- scape of her homeland, and native Brazilian traditions she experienced as a young girl. Anita Malfatti, The Fool, 1913 Instead of focusing primarily on hard angles and keeping her color palette neutral like other Cubist painters at that time, Tarsila used sweeping curves and bright colors from the plants and scenery of Brazil in her paintings. She created an exciting new style of paintings, and a unique cultural identity for Brazilian art. Some artists told her to stop using curves and bright colors. But Tarsila resisted conformity and ‘rules’ in art, and she continued to feature the shapes and colors of her childhood. They were the distinctive elements that made her paintings Brazilian, and this is how Tarsila do Amaral became not only the painter of her country, Brazil... but also the ‘Mother of Brazilian Modernism.’ Hélio Oiticica, Metaesquema, 1958 June 2021 21 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS LET’S LEARN ABOUT THE ART Join in the art chat this month and use this page to record your thoughts, ideas, and discoveries... I observed... A Cuca I wondered... I discovered... June 2021 22 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS LET’S LEARN ABOUT THE ART Join in the art chat this month and use this page to record your thoughts, ideas, and discoveries... I observed... The Papaya Tree I wondered... I discovered... June 2021 23 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS LET’S LEARN ABOUT THE ART Join in the art chat this month and use this page to record your thoughts, ideas, and discoveries... I observed... A Doll I wondered... I discovered... June 2021 24 Tarsila do Amaral The Studiowith and Brazilian Modernism ART HIST RY KIDS NOW IT’S YOUR TURN... Week 2 Project Geometric still life What you’ll need: Crayons, pastels, or paints The activity: Take a closer look at ‘A Doll’ and think about something that‘s sitting in your room that you can feature in a geometric still life. Look carefully at it and try to imagine its made up of noth- ing but simple building blocks. How can you represent it using just these shapes, and taking away all of the details. Consider this: The background in ‘A Doll’ is really interesting! Do you think these shapes represent items in the background, or do you think they are totally abstract. What kind of background will you create for your geometric still life? Consider your options and make an intentional choice! How to share: Be sure to post your artwork to this month’s gallery board in Artsonia! (This is where we’ll go during the last week of the month to see Studio Kids’ artwork during our Studio Hour meetup). You’ll find Artsonia setup instructions here. Just for fun, you can also post your photos in our private Studio Facebook Group... and if you share it on your own social media account, be sure to tag @arthistorykids so we can admire it there, too! June 2021 15.