Visual Arts

FOUNDATION

In the past couple of weeks Prep students have continued to think about the work of Jimmy Pike and the ways in which his life experiences had influenced his artwork. Students were asked to make connections to their previous lesson, where they had to think about communicating their perspective of themselves with their audience. They drew their self-portraits on black paper and filled in the background with lines, that they learned about in previous lessons. Their portraits were first drawn with lead pencil and traced over with white oil pastel. They then shaded the spaces using coloured soft pastels.

YEAR 1

The Year One students have continued to learn about Jimmy Pike and how he connected his family experiences to his artwork.  Students were asked to continue working on their self-portraits and adding a drawing of a favourite place or experience that they recalled spending with their families. This was drawn in the background of their self portrait. The portraits were first completed with lead pencil and traced over with white oil pastel. Spaces were shaded using soft pastels. Artwork was sprayed with a fixative spray to help set the pastel to the paper.

YEAR 2

 In year 2, students have continued to learn about the art of Jimmy Pike; in particular his work 'Japingka Country'. In this work Jimmy uses an orange centre shape that represents a waterhole. While viewing this art students discussed and analysed the work, looking at the colours and linework used and how it made them feel.  

After this analysis students were shown stamping techniques and they also looked at the Element of texture. They were asked to pick a textured stamp and one primary colour  acrylic paint, to create their own centre shape. The primary colour chosen, represented what they were feeling. 

YEAR 3

Over the past few weeks Year Three students have been thinking about colours, that represent a sense of belonging within their families. They have developed skills in mixing tints and shades for their chosen colour, while thinking of the significance this colour will have on their final family sculpture designs. 

As all talented artists do, students have continued to plan out what their sculptures and what they will look like. They have sketched out their sculptures, while annotating their work and communicating their thinking. 

Last week saw the students begin painting their styrofoam  ball which will be used as a base for their creation. 

Year Four to Six Visual Arts Program

Students in Years Four to Six  celebrated Harmony week in the Visual Arts program last week. Harmony Day celebrates Australian multiculturalism, based on the successful integration of migrants into our community. Harmony Day is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. Held every year on 21 March. The Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Since 1999, more than 70,000 Harmony Day events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia. We celebrated Harmony week at Saltwater College and in the Visual Arts Program. Students partook in harmony day dress up  by either wearing orange clothes or dressed in multicultural clothing to celebrate cultural and religious appreciation. The Art room was 

buzzing with multicultural music and students  with students engaged and creating their Harmony day themed posters that they were entering for the National Harmony day Art competition. The Competition closes on the 16th of April and students were able to come to

 the secondary art room during  week 9 and week 10 to see Ms. Nishani for materials and extra support for their Art posters. Students will be taking their posters back to finalise at home and show their parents at the end of term 1 and can then upload their poster entries via the Harmony day Art competition link below:

https://movingforwardtogether.org.au/poster-competition/ 

The theme for the 2022 competitions is 'Celebrating Harmony' and the deadline is 16th of  April. Completed entries are to be uploaded to the site where the entry forms can be found. 

Please support and encourage your child to participate and be a part of this wonderful celebration so they can have a chance at winning either the regional or national Art competition, with prizes from $150 or $500, as well as the school receiving $500 for the art department if our student wins . Good Luck! I am always here to offer feedback and support to students till the end of term 1.