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Create a poster inspired by Lakwena Maciver

  • Written byUAL Short Courses
  • Published date 14 August 2023
'Nothing Can Separate Us' by Lakwena Maciver. Acrylic on wood, 2020 | Image: Lakwena Maciver

Learn how to create a poster inspired by artist Lakwena Maciver with this fun Future Creatives activity for ages 11 to 17. Read more about Future Creatives.

Lakwena Maciver

Lakwena Maciver is an artist who makes large pieces of art for billboards, posters and illustrations. Her work is brightly coloured like advertising hoardings and always contains words and text.

Lakwena's work is often large scale like commercial advertising but her message is very different in her careful choice of words.

How do you feel when you see Lakwena’s work? What do you think she is trying to share with the viewer? What colours does she use? What shapes does she use to create the background of her image?

Image: Lakwena Maciver

Pop art

Like Lakwena, many artists have drawn on the commercial world for inspiration.

The pop art movement of the 1950s and 1960s challenged traditional views on what art should be by referencing popular concepts and objects such as Hollywood movies, advertising, product packaging, pop music and comic parts.

American artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and James Rosenquist found inspiration in popular culture and celebrated everyday objects. These artists changed what was acceptable to be the subject of art works.

Image: Lakwena Maciver

What you will need

To make your poster you will need the following materials:

  • Paint
  • Brushes
  • A pencil
  • Coloured paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Marker pens or felt tips

Getting started

The aim of this activity is to make a poster that sends a message. Think carefully about the message you want to convey – what do you want to say to the world?

What colours will you use for your poster? Do these colours have a special meaning for you? Do you they convey a particular feeling or mood?

For inspiration, have a look at any posters and advertising around you and think about how they capture your attention.

The creative process

Use all the materials available to you to make your poster. You can make it as a big or as small as you like – remember it’s all about the message.

Many artists use text and words in their art. Take a look at the work of Bob and Roberta Smith or Ed Ruscha to see some examples.

You may want to incorporate text into your poster to get your message across. You could add text to your poster by cutting out shapes to form letters, or using paints or felt tips to design your own.

This activity was designed by Antonia Harrowing and Peter Hope. Images courtesy of Lakwena Maciver.

We’d love to see what you are making and share across our channels to inspire creativity. Share your work on Instagram by tagging @ualfuturecreatives or using the hashtag #ualfuturecreatives.

Take a look at our Future Creatives Short Courses to see what’s coming up in your local area.