Kelsey Herber, School Programs Associate
This week in the FWMoA studio, we’re looking at some of the imagery that shines throughout the artworks in FAILE: A Riot of Existence, Wishing on You, on view until July 27th. Within many of the exhibit’s artworks is the mixture of physical human traits with those of animals, like human bodies with wolf heads, and inanimate objects such as vases featuring human faces. A term to know here is personification, which is the attribution of human characteristics to something that is not human. We see personification in many of the shows and movies we watch. For example, the characters in the Cars franchise, and the adorable baby-faced sun in Teletubbies are great examples of visual personification.
How does personification, rather than the utilization of 100% human figures, affect or change the meaning of the imagery in FAILE’s artworks? How does the mixture of human and nonhuman traits make you, as the viewer, feel?
FAILE, Patrick McNeil, American, b. 1975) and Patrick Miller, American, b. 1976. FAILE Soundwave (2025), Vision Up (2024), and Fantasy Royals (2025). Acrylic and spray paint on quilted fabric. Loan from the Artists. Images courtesy of FWMoA.
FAILE’s widespread use of personification recalls Exquisite Corpse, an activity that became popular during the Surrealist movement of the 1920s, which promotes collaboration among artists and prompts the creation of unique compositions. Many of the artworks that resulted from this practice utilized organic shapes and lines and pushed the boundaries on how figures are “supposed” to be presented. Exquisite Corpse allows artists to leave their comfort zone and challenge the standard procedure of figure drawing while also practicing artistic partnership. Follow along to learn how to create your own Exquisite Corpse while collaborating with friends or family!
Materials needed:
- A blank sheet of paper
- Your choice of drawing utensil
- Three people to collaborate together
To begin, fold the blank sheet of paper hamburger-style (creases along the short edge) into three equal sections.
The first artist exposes only the top section by folding the other two sections backward. In this section, draw a head and neck, making sure to carry the neck lines slightly into the second section so the next artist knows where to start their lines (this will help each section blend together seamlessly). Make it as weird as you want! When you’re done, fold the top section backward so the next person can’t see it, and expose the middle section. Pass the paper along to the second artist.
The second artist exposes only the middle section. In this section, start from the lines continued from section one and draw shoulders, arms, and a torso, continuing the torso lines slightly into the third section so the next artist knows where to start. Think outside the box! When you’re done, fold the top two sections backward so the next person can’t see it, and expose the bottom section. Pass it along to the third artist.
The third artist exposes only the bottom section. In this section, start from the lines continued from section two and draw hips, legs, and feet. Be creative!
When you’re done, open the paper so it lays flat to see the unique Exquisite Corpse you created with your peers. Feel free to go back and add details, color, and a background!
For more inspiration, see FAILE: A Riot of Existence, Wishing on You, on view at FWMoA until July 27.
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