Visual Art 

As is the case every year, all of our students begin the year in Visual Arts by creating a self-portrait. Each year level has a theme (eg. certain materials being used or artists/styles used as inspiration). Upon graduating in Grade 6, students have their self-portraits returned to them in a folio. This is a really lovely moment as they look back on how they have represented themselves over the years and usually there are a few giggles shared. 

Our Prep self-portraits focused on the beginnings of 3D representation. We discussed how the body is not flat but curved and how we could show that in our works. They have also created a collaborative artwork based on the Chinese celebration of the Lunar New Year. This can be spotted on the wall in the corridors closest to the Grade 1 classrooms. 

Grade 1s and 2s created a textured background using watercolour paints with a wet-on-wet technique before adding rock salt to soak up the paint and leave a bubbly or mottled effect on the page. We then looked at abstract paintings by Alma Thomas, a 20th century African-American artist who was a trail blazer for women in the arts. Her work inspired the students to add another layer of interest to their compositions by adding dabs of carefully considered colours to their backgrounds. 

Grade 3s and 4s created a splatter effect by spraying paints out of a bottle with a spray nozzle. They then added another layer of interest by using pens and markers to highlight aspects of their work. 

Grade 5s worked in an abstract style. They were challenged to relax and create a drawing without lifting the pen from their page. Also, they were not allowed to look at their page when drawing! The results of this are quite stunning as it breaks down the barriers that students sometimes feel about having to create a 'perfect' drawing. 

Grade 6s are working in Tim Burton style to develop their self-portraits. After learning about this illustrator and film maker, the students drew a picture of themselves, focusing on exaggerating certain features, before transforming this into a modelled relief sculpture.