Of all the projects for the public to have stocked up on, creating a scarcity at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, few would have believed toilet paper. Such a mundane object though, it is now obvious why even artists would save rolls for unflushable creative outbursts.
During the past semester, Amber Hamilton’s 6th & 7th grade Visual Arts classes at Robert’s Middle School studied the elements and principles of art, such as color, texture, shape, and form, all being put together in a tasteful project incorporating three different foods… created entirely from toilet paper. As the school did not order clay while students learned virtually, Hamilton chose this medium, showing her students that art can be made with absolutely anything.
Using interviews with artists who use household materials to create specific looks, Hamilton introduced her students to food imagery. She explains, “I connected this lesson to professional fake food sculptures- especially in Japan where this profession is a multi-million dollar business.”
Each piece incorporated a mix of watercolors and acrylic paints to create realism, even going so far as using other household items, such as caulking for a unique spin on whipped cream or frosting. The final exhibits were them plated on real dishes with silverware, napkins, and wrappers.
Given the success of this year’s work, Hamilton plans to make it a collaborative lesson with Social Studies in the future, discovering how often food is integrated into other teachers’ curriculum.
“This project turned out better than anyone could’ve imagined,” explains Hamilton “I hope you are as impressed with the final result as much as I am.”
Although these meals will not be on display as the school year comes to an end, students’ families will get to enjoy them in the only other appropriate setting—a takeout container.
