Cardboard Collage

Exhibition: Altered Realities

Artist: David Foxcroft and Kristine Zingeler

Overview

Collage is a technique used to create an artwork by assembling different forms to create a new whole. David Foxcroft describes his process of creating his collages by carefully selecting images based on their colour, design and imagery and then cutting them to create different shapes and overlapping them. The visual result can be complex and intriguing. This project is a simple way to create your own collage based on shape and colour.

Objectives

Build a composition based on shape and colour
Use critical thinking skills to make choices about placement
Use recycled material in a creative way

Materials

Corrugated cardboard

Scissors

Acrylic paint

White glue

Paint brushes

Instructions:

Step One

Cut a larger piece of cardboard for the base of your collage. This can be any shape you want, an irregular shape will add more interest. From your remaining cardboard, cut out random small shapes.

Step Two

Start arranging your small cardboard cutouts on top of your base. Explore the different shapes and overlap them in different combinations and orders to build your composition.

Step Three

Set your shapes aside and paint them a variety of colours. Once the paint has dried, start re-assembling your collage. Now that your pieces are coloured, you may change your mind about where you originally thought you would put them, that’s ok.

Step Four

Start gluing the cutouts on to your base, working your way from the bottom layer up.

Variations

Corrugated cardboard can by tricky for younger participants to cut themselves. You can pre-cut bases and a pile of small cut outs shapes for them to choose from.

To display your collages, punch two small holes on the top of the piece and add string to hang.