Maps are a tool of information. The typical information that we expect from a map are data related to the land and our understanding of the land.  Lordy Rodriguez’s work focuses on the kind of information we expect from maps, using maps as information vehicles to examine cultural identity, social identity, and individual/regional identity.  

This lesson created by Spring 2023 Hudson Showroom Artist, Lordy Rodriguez invites artists to create their own map “portrait” by cultivating their own visual language from the images around them.  

In this lesson, artists will learn to work with students to take patterns, text, color schemes, and logos from personal sources like family pictures and memories as well as visual references from their own personal interests. Students and artists use the images they see and collect to create a map that incorporates these symbols, patterns and images.  

This lesson is adaptable across subject areas, with interdisciplinary connections to social studies and earth science and ecology.