Visual Arts 

The art studios have been buzzing in the past few weeks with students working on their array of artworks. This has ranged from Year 7 through to Year 12. It has been fantastic to see the creative depictions being produced, and we look forward to displaying some of the artworks over the next term. Our amazing Year 12 Visual Arts crew have submitted their final HSC Body of Work for marking with some truly talented students in our midst.

In the Drama and Music spaces, the talents of our students have been so wonderful to see. Our marvellous Year 12s have showcased their talents for family, friends and teachers as they prepare for their formal HSC practical examinations. The support, dedication and guidance of their teachers have also helped shape some absolutely wonderful performances.

Year 7 have been exploring a range of artmaking techniques and creating their own compositions, applying the skills and techniques they have learnt in class. The students began the term exploring how the elements of art and principles of design are used by artists to create their compositions. We then moved on to developing techniques based on a range of Modern art movements such as Impressionism and Fauvism.  Students have also completed artists' studies and are writing about their own artworks from an informed perspective.

Year 8 students have been working hard on creating a body of work inspired by artists such as Noel McKenna, Alison Friend, and Rona Green, who are known for giving animals human-like traits in their art. Students also began exploring the assemblage art of Rosalie Gascoigne, experimenting with found materials and textures to express new ideas. Over the coming weeks, students will shift their focus to contemporary still life and try their hand at photography! 

Year 9 Visual Arts students have been exploring 2D, 3D and 4D artworks this term. Students have looked at specific artists' studies as inspirations, as well as a range of artforms to help explore new creative ideas while developing their bodies of work. Throughout this term, Students have worked to create three different artworks to help convey their conceptual and material understanding of different artforms. 

Year 10 Visual Art students have explored a range of media and processes throughout term 3. In depth research was undertaken on Janet Laurence, an Australian artist with an extensive practice. Students have developed their knowledge and understanding of terminology related to The Frames and The Conceptual Framework. 

Year 11 Photography and Digital Media students have produced a range of images and used the basic principles of photography to create their compositions. Students have explored the use of light and macro photography, among other skills. They have created photographs using water, ink and light to create abstract compositions. 

Year 11 students have worked over the past term and a half to create their own Minor Body of Work. This process is in preparation for students for the upcoming start of their Year 12 HSC Body of Work. Students have examined the processes and techniques involved in developing and creating related Bodies of Work. In accompaniment to their artmaking activities, students have also explored a range of artists, artworks and ways in which we can research and write about art. Students are developing their skills in art historical critical contexts. Year 11 students are now halfway through their end-of-Preliminary Course examinations, which will involve students writing from an analytical perspective of both seen and unseen works.

Year 12 Visual Arts students are nearing the end of their time with us at Mater Dei. Year 12 students have finished their Trial HSC examinations, exhibited their works in progress for feedback, and learned about a range of artists and artworks in different contexts. The submitted works really showcased the broad abilities of our students as they explored different media and techniques and developed strong narratives in their Body of Work. Year 12 students are now preparing for their HSC examination. We wish all Year 12 students the very best in their future endeavours.