Personal Project

Hello, World!

For my Grade 10 International Baccalaureate Personal Project, I decided to recreate a series of Modern Art paintings in the style of Impressionist Art.

From a young age, I have been painting, reading, and learning about art. Sunday afternoons with my father were dedicated to learning about art, music, and all kinds of things. I was particularly inspired by impressionist art, the beautiful, abstract landscapes immediately caught my eye, and I was hooked, the works of Monet and Renoir being my favorites.

I was also interested in modern art because of its unique nature, abstract forms, and subject matter. Since impressionist art greatly influenced modern art, the two art movements have a lot in common, and yet are very different. I thought that it would be interesting to paint a modern art painting in the impressionist style, and that the two genres would merge well, which is why I chose to do this project.

During the process of creating these paintings, I also decided to make a calendar featuring my work and selling them to raise funds to support the charity Anjeze. This charity is dedicated to providing nutrition to children suffering from cancer and other diseases.

Wishing you the very best for the new year!

Ziya Shah

Landscape by Joan Metzinger

“Landscape” is a painting by Jean Metzinger, a French artist who was one of the pioneers of the Cubist movement. The painting was created in 1904 and is an example of Fauvism, which is characterized by the use of bright colours and bold brushstrokes. This painting is an abstract representation of a landscape, possibly a village, with geometric shapes forming houses and trees.

The Scream by Edvard Munch

“The Scream” is a painting by Edvard Munch, a Norwegian artist who was one of the pioneers of the Expressionist movement. The painting was created in 1893 and is an oil, tempera, pastel, and crayon on cardboard composition. The painting depicts an agonized face in front of a landscape with a tumultuous orange sky. The painting has become one of the most iconic images of art, seen as symbolizing the anxiety of the human condition.

Piazza d'Italia by Giorgio di Chirico

“Piazza d’Italia” is a painting created in 1953 by Giorgio de Chirico, an Italian artist who was one of the pioneers of the metaphysical art movement. The painting depicts two silhouetted figures standing at the edge of an open space bordered by arched buildings, painted in flat expanses of color. In the foreground is a rendering of the Classical sculpture Sleeping Ariadne, a motif often used by de Chirico. In the background, a train passes from left to right against a blue-green sky that transitions to yellow at the horizon.

Violin and Checkerboard by Juan Gris

“Violin and Checkerboard” is a painting by Juan Gris, a Spanish painter who was one of the pioneers of Cubism. The painting was created in 1913 and is an example of Synthetic Cubism, which is characterized by the use of collage elements and the imitation of textures and patterns. The painting depicts a violin and a checkerboard on a table, with the checkerboard being the dominant element in the composition.

Nordzimmer by Paul Klee

“Nordzimmer” (Room Facing North) is a painting by Paul Klee, a Swiss-born German artist who was known for his highly individual style influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. This painting is an abstract work of various geometric shapes and patterns, filled with a mix of warm colors and textures. It doesn’t depict a clear or realistic representation of physical objects but rather an arrangement of forms and colors for conceptual and artistic purposes.

The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso

“The Old Guitarist” is an oil painting by Pablo Picasso painted in late 1903 and early 1904. It depicts an elderly musician, a haggard man with threadbare clothing, who is hunched over his guitar while playing in the streets of Barcelona, Spain. The painting is part of Picasso’s Blue Period which lasted from 1901 to 1904 and is characterized by melancholy figures lost in contemplation.