Earlier this year, my co-worker Jayne found the idea to make a collaborative school-wide paper mural based on the artwork of Thank YouX. The idea for a student mural originally came from Jenell Novello and you can see the lesson plan write-up on Artsonia. She also so generously provided the lesson plan and templates on Google docs.
Thank You X got his name by accident. In 2009 Andy Warhol’s spray painted portrait was spotted on a city street in L.A.. It was signed; “Thank You X”. The artist added this signature as a gesture of gratitude to Warhol’s art. More and more “Thank You X” artwork was noticed around L.A. and Thank You X became the artist’s identity. Soon business’s started commissioning him to paint murals and collaborations. He is now an internationally recognized artist with murals and galleries all over the world.
I love showing students videos of artists at work. Here is a fantastic video of him painting the mural (above) on YouTube.
Our mural included one cube made by each student in the school. The mural was made from individual cubes which incorporate the image of geese to represent the spirit of community and collaboration at EAGLE. (Our school is using a geese theme this year.)
Have you ever done a project inspired by Thank You X?
Love these!!! How did you hang all the cubes? Were they individually glued down to a long sheet of paper?
We taped the backs of them together and then hung them in large pieces.
WOW!!! Thank YOU so much for being inspired by my art. I am honored. Email me through my website. Id love to stay in touch.
The mural is actually flat paper not a 3 dimensional cube. Right?
Yes, it is all flat.
What size did you make the cube shape? Looks fairly large, did kids traace a pattern?
Yes, if you click on the links in the article, it has the templates. Each side fit on a 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper that we photocopied.
I love this idea! I printed out the templates, but I cannot figure out how to fit them together. I think I have the two sides together, but the top doesn’t fit. Do you have a version labeled with top/bottom or 1/2/3? Thank you so much!
Hi! Thanks for your interest. These are not my templates, so you will have to look at the pictures and try to figure it out! The top is an elongated diamond shape. Sorry I can’t help more!
Hello – i was wondering if you would be able to share the template with me. I cant seem to see all sides when I open the one you link to above:)
thanks so much
The only template I used was the one that I linked to, so I don’t have another copy.
Hi, did the students colour the top side blue themselves, or was it printed that way?
We printed it on to blue paper.
Hi there, the template you have kindly provided is corrupt and two shapes are on top of each other – I wonder if you could share again? Thank you
It is not my template, and that is my only copy. Sorry!
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Thanks for sharing! I love this idea. I’m planning on having my 6th graders create a piece inspired by this and will give credit to all for the inspiration. Thanks
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Did each student color one or two faces of each cube?
They each did one face of the cube.
I subbed in Art for 3 weeks, and art is NOT my specialty at all. I did this with Middle School students and it turned out so nice. I loved that students who felt confident drawing something could, and those who were more comfortable drawing designs and patterns did that. Thank you for the idea!