Shining a spotlight on art

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Student artwork29 January 2020

Filling the school with art is all in a day’s work at Our Lady Help of Christians School, Brunswick East.

Towards the end of 2019, and working around the theme of ‘public art’, students created whole-class pieces for display around the school grounds. Years 1 and 2 created mosaics, Year 3 students made paste-up pieces inspired by street art, Year 4 created stencil art and Year 5 students ‘yarn-bombed’ the school’s bike racks.

It was a case of the youngest and oldest students collaborating when the Foundation and Year 6 students worked together on a woven piece to wrap around a tree near the school’s entrance. Departing Year 6 student Sienna created a piece which was turned into an art screen as a permanent feature outside the school’s Centenary Centre.

‘Art is a valuable form of self-expression and student voice’, said the school’s Visual Art teacher, Amber Boag. ‘Art as a subject is a great way of encouraging students to move out of their comfort zone and try things they aren’t naturally good at. There are many techniques to cover under the scope of the Art curriculum.’

Leading up to the creation of their artwork, students examined the works of public artists, including Banksy, to build confidence in using different techniques such as stencils and spray-paint. The school also welcomed local artists, including a parent, to work through some ideas with the students.