Visual Culture Database Form ARTE 344/544 Fall 2023

Provider: Yesenia Arroyo

VCDB #: 1

Big Idea/Subject: Family

Major Theme: Self

Expression

Medium/ Size: Acrylic 94 x

83 in.

Visual Components:

Category:
Fine Arts
Pop art
Pop culture
Non-art

Authorship: Faith Ringgold

Title of work:
Location of work:
Description:
Interpretation:
Use in Teaching(Lesson
Idea and medium)
The Bitter Nest, Part II: The Harlem Renaissance Party
Not On View
This piece portrays a family dinner taking place as a young girl at the
bottom left is seen wearing a brightly colored dress as she dances while
everyone is looking at her. Food is on the table and on everyone’s plates.
Their eyes are widened as it seems they are looking at each other and at
the girl dancing.
My interpretation of this piece is going outside of a family’s
expectations for one's child and finally being the “you” that has been
hiding for so long. So many families have these crazy expectations of
their own children which leads the child to live a life that doesn’t fit who
they want to be. For the girl at the bottom wearing this brightly colored
dress while everyone is wearing sophisticated clothing, it means to
finally embrace who she is as a person/coming together with her true
identity.
To adapt this art piece in a lesson, students will create a list of things
that make them unique. Once the list is done, students will create a self
portrait of themselves in which they will add either words or images
drawn around their self portrait to truly showcase what makes them
stand out from the crowd. Students will be encouraged to work with
 pencil and colored pencil to make sure they add as much detail as they
can into their projects.
3-5 Guiding Questions: What do you think the people at the dining table are thinking? How are
they feeling?
What do you think prompted the girl to start dancing while everyone is
having dinner?
What do you feel as you look at this piece?
Do you think the girl is correct in doing what she is doing?
Image Source (url): https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/bitter-nest-part-ii-harlem-
renaissance-party-35621