Make@GoMA – Strange Fruits

This month’s activity is based on the artist Hanneline Visnes and her artworks “Sisters” and “Victoria” (2003), in our Domestic Bliss exhibition. Born in 1972 in Bergen, Norway, Hanneline Visnes lives and works in Glasgow where she teaches printmaking and painting at The Glasgow School of Art. Visnes’ primary media are painting and drawing. In her works she often creates tension by using beautiful patterns and pleasing shapes to play up a feeling of unease and foreboding. Borrowing elements from design as well as traditional craft, her works strategically play upon the fine line that distinguishes meaningful symbols from decorative figures.
For this activity you will need:
- recycled cardboard, envelopes, or newspapers
- scissors
- glue or tape
- paint (optional)
Fruit was our main inspiration for this activity, as well as flowers and vegetables. Look at some fruits, vegetables or flowers you have in your home or at some images of them. Using magazines pages, newspapers, wrapping paper or anything with a colour or pattern, cut out the shapes of your selected fruits, veggies and flowers. We used lemons, aubergines, watermelon, passion fruit, flowers and flower stems as inspiration.
Use cardboard and, if you have it, some paint, to cut out and colour bigger shapes to be used as a background or platter for your fruits and flowers. Now combine your different cut-outs on top of the platter. Try different combinations and, once you settle on your favourite one, use the glue or tape to attach your fruits, veggies and flowers to the platter.

Try to make different platters and compositions and don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media! #make@GoMA