Visual Arts News

Dear Parents,

The Christmas Story Artworks

Congratulations to Gabrielle C, Sophia H,  Alison H, and Warwick N, for having their Christmas Story artworks selected to represent SFX in the annual Catholic Schools’ The Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. 

This competition is an opportunity for students ‘to develop appreciation of their artistic talents as a way of expressing understanding of their Catholic faith’. 

Our students responded to Matthew 2:9-12,  9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. They made works filled with meaningful symbols to communicate their ideas. Their Artist Statements reflected on their work and explained the decisions they made in their artmaking practice. 

Gabrielle explains her work, A Starry Night:

My artwork was created with great care and reverence, capturing the warmth and joy of the Nativity story. Using a blend of watercolour pencils, oil pastels and paint, I aimed to evoke a sense of peace and celebration. The stars scattered across the sky reflect the brightness and wonder of that Holy night. The central star symbolises Jesus as the King, the guiding light of hope and salvation. Mary and Joseph are portrayed in a serene and relaxed moment, embodying the quiet grace of the Divine presence. Through colour, texture and symbolism my artwork invites viewers to feel the sacred joy of Christ’s birth. 

Sophia writes of her piece, Mary, Joseph, Jesus:

I have been inspired by Matthew 2: 9-12, ‘...and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.’  My artwork shows the stable where Mary and Joseph are admiring the beautiful baby Jesus. It is a family scene in which I tell the story of a young woman who trusted in God to give birth to this child, and Joseph, who supported Mary and baby Jesus. I drew the traditional star because it symbolises hope, guidance and protection. Making this work helped me reflect on my own family life and the love and trust I feel.

Alison reflects on her sculpture, Guided by the Star:

My artwork is inspired by Matthew 2:1 -12, the story of the Magi visiting Jesus. I chose this passage because it is filled with powerful and symbolic imagery: a mysterious star lighting the path, Wise men from the East bearing gifts, and the humble setting of Jesus’s birth. These elements gave me a rich visual story to explore through my art. The event reminds me of when my baby cousin was born and our family came together to celebrate. Everyone brought gifts and love, just like the Magi did for Jesus. I felt joyful and grateful that my auntie and cousin were safe and healthy.

In the scripture, I imagine the Magi felt awe and reverence, Herod was fearful and manipulative. Mary and Joseph were quietly amazed by the moment unfolding around them. To reflect these emotions I used deep blues and purples to show mystery and royalty and warm golds represent the gifts and divine presence. In my work the gold represents kingship, the white rocks represent the frankincense and the red rocks represent myrrh. These choices helped me express the emotional depth of the story and show something how humble can be truly extraordinary.

Warwick wrote of his work, Family Time,

My artwork reflects on the scripture passage Matthew 2: 9-12 and shows Mary and Joseph cradling baby Jesus in the foreground. In the background are the Magi who have brought gifts for the new born, and King Herod who is upset at Jesus’s birth because he believes he is the rightful king. I was inspired by the contemporary Italian/Australian artist Sandro Nocentini. He doesn’t include a lot of fine details in his figures but they express emotions through their poses and the colours used. I have shown Mary wearing blue and white, the colours of purity, holiness and a connection to heaven. Joseph wears brown, the colour of the earth, because he is a carpenter. Jesus is in yellow signifying him as the light of the world. 

We wish our students good luck in the next stage of the judging process.

Ms Vicki Armstrong and Kate Fernandes

Visual Arts teachers