Africa Day / Ndebele-Inspired Geometric Painting
Ndebele-Inspired Geometric Painting
Children paint bold, outlined geometric designs inspired by the house paintings of Ndebele women in South Africa, an art form known for bright colours and strong black lines.
How to run it
- Show photos of Ndebele house paintings from South Africa and talk about the shapes, symmetry and thick black outlines.
- Have children draw a large geometric design on card or a flattened box using a ruler, starting with a central shape and building outwards.
- Trace all lines with thick black marker or paint.
- Fill the shapes with bright blocks of colour, leaving some white spaces, and display the paintings together as a 'street' of house fronts.
You will need
- large card or flattened boxes
- rulers
- pencils
- thick black markers or black paint
- poster paints in bright colours
- brushes
- photos of Ndebele house paintings
Make it easier or harderProvide pre-drawn designs for younger children to paint; older children can design and paint a full house-front panel with a partner.
SafetyUse washable paints and cover tables and clothing.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 1Children explore geometry and colour through an art tradition of South Africa's Ndebele people.
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