Art News 

Errol St Campus

From Tess V, Senior school Art teacher

The Grade 5 students have been learning about artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, his life, influences, and unique art style. Inspired by his bold use of colour, lines, and mark-making, students explored how Basquiat layered different art materials to create depth and texture in his works. They experimented with combining paint and pastels, while incorporating text and symbolic imagery to make their pieces more personal and meaningful. Each artwork needed to share an idea, a story, or a message, just as Basquiat’s did. The results were powerful, thought-provoking pieces full of colour, movement, and ideas. 

Grade 6 students are currently in the process of exploring the world of art, science, and environmental awareness through a multimedia project inspired by Christine and Margaret Wertheim’s Crochet Coral Reef project. 

To spark their creativity, students went on a virtual gallery tour to view the Wertheims’ textile reefs and learn about the environmental issues that inspired them. They have been practising sketching a variety of coral shapes and sea animals, observing the intricate forms and textures found in marine life. 

As part of Science Week celebrations, this project highlights the connections between creativity and scientific understanding of ocean ecosystems. Students are now working on vibrant watercolour and crayon resist backgrounds, which they will embroider directly onto the paper to add depth and texture.