The Future of Statues

This project from Fall of 2025 was for my advanced art class and a second group of upper level students. Taking inspiration from René Magritte's The Future of Statues (1937).

Students researched a work of art learning about its background and history. They had a choice of any work from art history though I did guide them to well know works or art I thought they would better connect with.

They then planned and painted a 3D printed sculpture as a way to disguise the sculpture as the painting or recreate the painting on the sculpture. The over all idea was how we recontextualize the recognition of one familiar thing with another. Similar to how Magritte recontextualized the face of Napoleon.

This project was amazing to see and had almost 100% engagement. Even my MA students participated and did a great job learning about the art.