As an art teacher I am always looking for different ways to creatively interact with different cultures. I have witnessed this being done well, where at one school they would engage with culture through artists and informed processes, but I have also witnessed this being done less well, with an encouragement to create tokenistic images inspired by cultures.
Engaging in art through proverbs is an interesting way to engage with a culture that allows us to recognise our similarities through a different cultural language.
Because proverbs often reflect and describe common human experiences, they may be universally empathised with; the same message can be discovered in proverbs in different cultures.
Meanwhile, they are also specific. The language used, and imagery provided will be specific to each culture.
Over human history, proverbs and sayings have often have been depicted in art. These are especially common in the art of the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Netherlands, when artists combined giving moral guidance with realistic depictions of everyday life. For example, Pieter Bruegel the elder’s much-copied Netherlandish Proverbs contains literal illustrations of over 100 proverbs.
Netherlandish Proverbs, (1559) Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Oil painting on Oak Panel.
Here is a brief introduction to some of these proverbs, showcasing the enjoyable and even playful interaction between the artwork and the viewer. The viewer delights in spotting and identifying familiar proverbs, experiencing a sense of fulfilment upon discovering them.
This image alone could be a fantastic introduction to proverbial artwork. offering students a written list of proverbs for them to look for, in addition to challenging them to seek out any others they recognise. Find the full list, with associative meanings here:
In recognising some of these proverbs, students may identify their own culture. The globalised and intercultural meanings that may be recognised in this may be a fun activity that appeals to a diverse classroom. Further, I have noticed in discussions of culture, that British Students do not take a lot of pride in their own culture, or they aren't sure what elements in their life are inherently 'British'. This exercise may help them to identify their culture for themselves.
Proverbs may well exist in every culture, and so it is easy to apply this to any that you are looking into as a class. I will list below some proverbs from around the world, to demonstrate how they can. be presented. to students to enforce multiculturalism and associate meaning to something familiar. After the introduction to proverbial art that I have detailed above, one activity could ask students to illustrate a given proverb, or create collaborative images using the proverbs provided from a particular culture. This exercise may even be used to develop growth mindset in students.
China:
On a Mountain Path in Spring (Detail), Ma Yuan, Southern Song Dynasty.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
千里之行，始于足下
Attributed to: Lao Tzu
This saying encourages us to take the first step toward success, no matter how daunting the journey may seem.
“One cannot have both the fish and the bear’s paw.”
鱼与熊掌，不可兼得
An often-quoted Chinese proverb serves as a reminder that we cannot have everything we desire in life and that we must often make choices and prioritise what is most important.
“Dripping water can penetrate the stone.”
水滴石穿
This proverb is about the power of persistence and patience. Even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome with consistent effort and determination over time.
“There is nothing difficult in the world as long as you set your mind to it.”
天下无难事，只怕有心人
This well-known Chinese saying inspires confidence and resilience by asserting that we can overcome any challenges and achieve our goals with determination and dedication.
Poland
Stańczyk (1862), painted by Jan Matejko
As you make your bed, so you must lie
Polish original: Jak sobie pościelesz, tak się wyśpisz.
English equivalent: What you reap is what you sow.
The meaning of this is that you can blame or praise only yourself for your ups and downs in life.
He who digs pits for others will fall in them himself
Polish original: Kto pod kim dołki kopie, ten sam w niewpada.
The scheme will always turn against the schemer. This proverb could be considered a version of ‘what goes around comes around.’ The latter suggesting that good karma can also come back to you. The Polish version focuses on the things that can come back to haunt you.
Once among the crows, caw as they do.
Polish original: Kiedy wejdziesz między wrony musisz krakać tak jak one
English equivalent: When in Rome do as the Romans do
This Polish proverb may be understood as a call to blend in when in an adverse environment. When you feel challenged, mimic those around you and camouflage yourself into the crowd. This proverb conjures images of undercover spies pretending to be birds.
If you don’t have what you like, like what you have
Polish original: Jak się nie ma, co się lubi, to się lubi, co się ma.
This wisdom hardly needs any explanation. The proverb promotes a satisfaction with that which. is already within your grasp, and may be a more positive expression of the sentiment 'Money can't buy you happiness.'
Egypt (Arabic)
Together, (2011) In-Situ Sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn
The monkey is a gazelle in the eyes of his mother.
Egyptian original: القرد في عين أمه غزال
English equivalent: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The one whose hand is in fire is not like the one whose hand is in water.
Egyptian original: اللي ايده في المية مش زي اللي ايده في النار
English equivalent: Easier said than done.
The world is like a belly dancer: it dances for a little while for everyone.
Egyptian original: الدنيا زي الغازية، ترقص لكل واحد شوية
English equivalent: Every dog has its day
Whoever has a head wound will keep feeling for it.
Egyptian original: اللي على راسه بطحة يحسّس عليها
English equivalent: A guilty person will give himself away. An (uncommon) English equivalent is “The tongue ever turns to the aching tooth.”
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