In the Art room…
We have definitely hit the ground running this term in the Art room. Following a successful Art Show in 2024, students are showing even greater enthusiasm in trialling new ideas and concepts as well as materials.
Here is a little snapshot of some of the work that is currently being explored in Art this term.
Our Foundation students have ‘painted' with tissue paper and considered themselves as artists in their portrait drawings. Most recently they have made observations into artist, Piet Mondrian’s work and his use of Primary colours and line. They have been inspired by his work to create their own art works and enjoyed printing a variety of lines using cards around their cut shapes.
Grade One classes have been studying artist, Pablo Picasso and discovering the world of Cubism. They have been creating their own self-portraits in his style and have done an incredible job! As well as this we recently managed a quick drawing game called ‘Picasso Dogs’ which highlighted the idea of looking at something from multiple angles and breaking a subject into different parts.
Grade Two students have been focussing on Vincent Van Gogh’s works and in particular the use of line in his painting, The Starry Night. The students have been using Gelli plates and brayers alongside painting combs to create texture in their printmaking practice. These lessons have been particularly busy with exploration. Pastel use and embossing aluminium foil are also featured heavily in the next few weeks as we continue this unit on Van Gogh.
In Grade 3, the students have been reflecting on the effective works of sculptural artist, Charles McGee. We have worked with line and shape to create our own monochromatic, relief sculptures. These are currently being assembled just outside the art room in a collaborative piece…Check out the work in progress! It’s really coming together and causing quite a bit of interest by all who have seen it. Well done Grade 3’s! The students are currently looking at artist, Keith Haring’s works and learning to draw characters showing movement. As part of the presentation of this artwork, students will also need to consider the Colour Wheel and in particular, the use of complementary and contrasting colours.
In Grade 4, the learning-to-date has been based around artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat and his fast paced, ‘child-like’, graffiti style. Students have worked on textural backgrounds using a combination of mediums as well as drawing ghoulish inspired characters – all influenced by Basquiat’s work. Rich discussions were had relating to his artwork and his upbringing. Students also looked at some of his more iconic work such as the use of the crown and dinosaur as they then worked on their art comprising such elements
Currently the students are dabbling in the world of Sculpture and creating armatures for their own animal designs. Watch this space!
The Grade 5 students are showing great interest in creating Notan designs. Notan is a Japanese term that means ‘light and dark harmony’ or rather how light and dark elements of a composition, interact. Though traditionally black and white are used in this art form, students have been encouraged to explore a whole range of options in their ongoing projects. It is always so rewarding to see and hear of students practising these skills at home and sharing their findings each week with their peers. I cannot wait to show the Grade 5 work when they are complete, so please ensure you keep an eye out for these amazing designs.
This term the Grade 6 students have been allocated a Collage task based on the art movement, Orphism. They have also noted artists, such as Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Henri Matisse and contemporary artist, Beatriz Milhazes in their works. Students are focussing on geometric and organic shapes, balance and movement as well as colour in their compositions. They are taking great care in their craftmanship and designs and are also readying themselves to name their artwork along with a purposeful explanation. Students are certainly discovering the complexities involved in such art pieces and I am proud to say, they are showing an incredible sense of pride, satisfaction and enthusiasm as the project progresses.
I really do love seeing the students work through all the elements in the Art room and I especially love seeing the development of their own self confidence to their skill set.
It’s already proving to be another fun and productive year in Art…but stay tuned as there is something truly exciting happening in our art world at St. Simon’s, next term!!!!
Mrs. Ivana Dabb
Art Leader 🎨