Collage, Excerpts from the Museum’s Collection
Collage artworks created by children and young people are artistic expressions that demonstrate how young individuals utilize the collage technique to explore, express, and communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. The collage technique involves using images, printed or decorated paper, as well as various materials applied to a surface to create a composite artwork. This can include anything from newspapers, magazines, textiles, photographs, paper scraps, metal pieces, and other objects that can add texture and depth to the piece.
When children and young people work with collage, they have the opportunity to experiment with reusing materials in creative ways. They learn to see potential in items that others might discard and use these elements to create something new and exciting. This fosters a playful and exploratory approach to art, where spontaneity and personal choice are central. The results often reflect youthful energy, creativity, and a unique perspective on the world.
By assembling different materials in new ways, children and young people can express themes such as identity, belonging, dreams, concerns, or current societal issues. Collage can serve as a tool for processing emotions, exploring their own voice, or simply having fun by combining images and materials. It is an open technique that invites creative expression without strict rules, providing room for experimentation and discovering one’s own style.
Several of the selected collage artworks by children and young people have previously been exhibited in connection with government cultural policy initiatives and programs for primary schools through DKS – the Cultural Schoolbag. This has been an important platform to demonstrate how young people can use art as a tool for self-expression, and to strengthen their cultural participation and creative development. These works illustrate how the collage technique can be used in education and cultural outreach to inspire youth to explore their creative abilities and recognize the value of reuse and visual communication.
The Children’s Art Museum also regularly organizes collage workshops as part of its offerings. These workshops are often linked to guided tours for different age groups, including preschools, primary schools, high schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. Here, children and young people have the chance to try out the collage technique under the guidance of artists or educators, and they can create their own works based on themes they are interested in. Such workshops emphasize encouraging creativity, collaboration, and exploration, providing participants with practical experience in artistic processes.
In short, collage works by children and young people are an important part of artistic and cultural development. They demonstrate how young individuals use visual communication to explore and express themselves, and how the collage technique can be a powerful tool for creativity, reuse, and social engagement. These artworks are not only aesthetic expressions but also stories and reflections that offer insight into youth perspectives and values. Through participation in these artistic processes, children and young people have the opportunity to develop their skills, boost self-confidence, and discover their own voice within a creative community.
childrensart.com
