Work by instructor Joanne Wasserman
Long before alphabets as we know them were used to inscribe messages in stone or inked on papyrus, ancient civilizations developed a myriad of visual languages. They include the pictures, word signs, and letterforms used in Egypt and Mesopotamia; hieroglyphics from Egyptian North Africa; and cuneiform script from Sumer, Babylon, and other areas of the Mideast.
Beyond their function in communicating, these precursors to modern alphabets often had a graphic beauty and visual elegance that can serve as inspiration for artists today. In this time-travelling workshop, learn to draw and paint pictures that actually spell words—using the oldest syllabaries, alphabet signs, and symbols in the world. The instructor offers guidance and picture-writing examples.
All supplies are provided.
Instructor: Joanne Wasserman
One 5-hour session