Visual Arts

Environmental Art

Environmental Art is an umbrella term that covers an incredibly diverse range of artistic practices. Overall, it refers to artistic works that are intended to enhance or become part of the environment or make a statement on environmental issues. In the Visual Arts, we study various artists who respond to the environment and use natural elements in their work. It is important to broaden one’s idea of what art is, beyond the typical drawing and painting mediums. We discuss installation art and conceptual pieces, works that challenge or simply exist for their beauty.

Year 12 Environmental Artist

Olay M, a Year 12 student has been inspirational by becoming an Environmental Artist. The images below are a few pages, a mere snapshot of her developmental folio, where materials and techniques were developed in Unit 3. Olay will be producing three very large scale mixed media drawings for her finals and combining these with sculptural forms made entirely from natural elements including branches, twigs, bark and preserved flowers in Unit 4. She will be attending a Botanical workshop/course during the school holidays (part of her Art Scholarship), a wonderful opportunity that gels well with her practice and a professional experience that will benefit her greatly.

Recycle Materials

Keeping in the theme of being environmentally conscious, the department aims to reduce and reuse. The studio assistant continues to come up with creative ways to recycle materials and these old water paint trays are just one example of clever and sustainable thinking. At some point, the trays need to be replaced so students have access to the full range of colours. However, these are not thrown away; instead, the near empty colour pods are removed and we gain paint palettes and make washes, as the remnants break down in water. We also recycle clay and ensure any left-over clay is wet and bagged for reuse. We wash up in buckets which are then used to water the gardens. Paints are covered in glad wrap in between lessons and students are hopefully learning from these thoughtful processes.

Ephemeral Artwork

As the semester ends, I wish you and your family a safe and wonderful break. Perhaps take a walk in nature and rearrange some of its elements to create an ephemeral artwork or two?

Mrs Linda Camilleri

Head of Faculty Visual Arts