A Creative Feast – Exploring Healthy Lifestyles Through the Art of Giuseppe Arcimboldo

In our latest session for South Hill Park’s Healthy Lifestyles Project, students were introduced to the whimsical and imaginative world of 16th-century artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593). Known for his fascinating portraits composed entirely of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and even fish, Arcimboldo’s work offered the perfect blend of creativity, curiosity, and education for this hands-on workshop.

A Fresh Perspective on Healthy Living

The session kicked off with a fun and engaging introduction to Arcimboldo’s iconic works, such as his famous series The Four Seasons and The Vegetable Gardener. Our professional artist and session leader, Areej, walked the students through the symbolism behind Arcimboldo’s art—showing how everyday objects could come together to tell powerful visual stories.

Arcimboldo’s playful manipulation of natural forms became a source of inspiration for the group. Students eagerly examined how he blended the natural world with human form, noticing how a cabbage could form a nose, grapes could create curls of hair, and a fish could morph into a jawline. The idea of “building portraits from healthy foods” tied perfectly into the themes of the Healthy Lifestyles Project, making art a vessel for discussing nutrition, creativity, and imagination.

Creating Their Own “Healthy Portraits”

Under Areej’s expert guidance, students rolled up their sleeves to design their own portraits inspired by Arcimboldo’s style. Drawing from their growing understanding of healthy foods, they worked with a variety of materials, sketching and drawing images of fruits, vegetables, grains, and other healthy lifestyle icons.

Some highlights of the session included:

• A student creating a portrait with broccoli florets as a curly beard, oranges as cheeks, and a crown made of leafy greens.

• Another inventive artwork featuring “eyes” formed from eggs and a smile of curved bananas, representing a balanced breakfast.

• Discussions around the symbolism of the foods they selected—how fruits and vegetables nourish both the body and the mind.

Connecting Art and Well-Being

The session wasn’t just about making creative portraits; it was also a space for reflection. As students assembled their images, they explored how the foods they were working with related to a healthy diet. Areej encouraged them to share their thoughts on their favorite fruits and vegetables and how they could make healthier food choices in their daily lives.

One student remarked, “It’s cool to think of food in this way. I never thought a piece of lettuce could be a hat before—”

A Lasting Impression

As the session wrapped up, the students proudly displayed their Arcimboldo-inspired creations. Their works didn’t just capture creativity—they reflected a growing awareness of the foods that fuel a healthy, balanced life. The artworks will be showcased as part of our Healthy Lifestyles Project exhibition, giving parents and community members a chance to see how art is helping spark conversations about health.

This session exemplified the power of cross-disciplinary learning, combining art, history, and nutrition to create a memorable experience.