Arts

Arts Club Kick Off  

Arts Club students commenced Term 2 by making the most of the recent sunny weather, taking their art projects outdoors to experiment with the use of sun-dyes, which are photosensitive inks that react to sunlight. They created striking and high-contrast prints on calico bags. 

The students carefully arranged natural and found objects such as leaves, feathers, and lengths of string onto calico bags. As these compositions were exposed to the sun, the areas covered by the objects resisted the dye, leaving behind detailed silhouettes and intricate patterns once revealed. The process seemed magical, and captivated students and staff. We all voted that Ms Gibbs, our pre-service teacher, created the best design.  

In addition to sun-dyeing, students also explored the traditional Indonesian technique of batik. Using wax-resist methods, they created detailed patterns before applying dye, gaining insight into both the cultural significance and technical precision of this time-honoured art form. 

The Arts Club continues to be a vibrant and popular space where students can experiment, collaborate, and extend their artistic skills beyond the classroom.

Media Club Photography

The Media Club has been making the most of both the sunshine and the studio this term, with students exploring a diverse range of photographic techniques. 

Students headed outdoors to capture landscape photographs in the school’s beautiful front gardens. With a focus on composition, lighting, and perspective, students experimented with framing natural elements. The activity not only built technical skills but also allowed students to notice with a different mindset their surroundings they may pass by every day. 

Indoors, the focus shifted to studio work, where students were introduced to the fundamentals of three-point lighting. Learning how to balance key, fill, and back lighting, students developed an understanding of how light shapes mood, highlights features, and creates professional-quality portraits. They then applied these techniques in a series of studio portrait sessions, producing impressive and sometimes hilarious results. 

Year 9 Tiny Houses

The Year 9 3D Art students have recently completed an imaginative ceramics project, creating a collection of tiny houses inspired by the work of Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. 

Known for his rejection of straight lines and his celebration of colour, individuality, and connection to nature, Hundertwasser’s unique style provided the perfect foundation for this creative task. Students explored his philosophy that buildings should be organic, playful, and expressive, far from uniform or conventional design. 

Drawing on these ideas, students designed and constructed their own ceramic tiny houses, embracing irregular shapes, uneven surfaces, and bold decorative elements. Each piece reflects Hundertwasser’s influence using bright colours, whimsical patterns, and unexpected architectural features such as curved walls, rooftop gardens, and mismatched windows. 

Throughout the process, students developed their skills in hand-building techniques, including slab construction and joining methods, while also experimenting with surface decoration and glazing. The project encouraged risk-taking and creativity, with students learning to let go of perfection and instead celebrate uniqueness in their work. 

The finished collection is a display of individuality and artistic expression. No two houses are the same but collectively they capture the joyful, unconventional spirit of Hundertwasser’s vision. 

The Yr 9 Tiny Houses are on display now at reception for the next three weeks.

Arts Competition - Revolution!

This is the last weekend to finalise your artwork for the Arts Competition “Revolution!” Contact Mel Lee mlee@stpats.vic.edu.au if you plan to bring your work in this week but won’t be able to submit it by Monday. 

Luminal Spaces  

We recently wrapped up the much-anticipated Liminal Spaces Photography Competition. With the closing date now passed, submissions have been collected. We have some creative and very interesting entries. Students explored the concept of “in-between” spaces in unique and imaginative ways, capturing moments and places that feel both familiar and slightly surreal. 

Judging will take place next week, and with such a strong collection of entries, it promises to be a challenging task. We look forward to announcing the winners soon.