Year 7-9 Art in 2024
Creative Journeys in Year 7 Art
This year, our Year 7 students have embarked on an exciting journey through the world of Visual Arts, honing their practical skills in drawing, painting, and mixed media techniques. They began with personal Koru flag designs and vibrant Dreamscapes inspired by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Through studies of Pop Artist Dean Russo and Māori artist Vanessa Wairata Edwards, students created vivid watercolour animals and intricate sgraffito Hei Tiki artworks. They also connected with Ngā Toi, producing Kōwhaiwhai patterns, Tiki designs, and a stunning Rangitoto silhouette to celebrate Matariki.
This artistic journey has not only nurtured their technical abilities but also deepened their appreciation for cultural storytelling and visual expression. The Year 7 boys have truly brought their imagination to life in the Art room this year!
Year 8 Artists: Honoring Heroes, Culture and Faith
This year, Year 8 students have excelled in Visual Arts, refining their skills in drawing, painting, and mixed media. They began by using the Grid drawing method to create detailed portraits of their role models, these were not only artistically impressive but also served as heartfelt tributes to the individuals they admire.
Cultural connections have been a highlight of the year, with students exploring Ngā Toi, traditional Māori art forms of Kōwhaiwhai patterns as well as Polynesian-inspired Tatau designs and Tapa artworks. These projects highlighted the rich artistic traditions of Māori and Pacific cultures.
To close the year, students created beautiful Nativity paintings, honoring the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrating the Catholic character of Christmas. It has been a year of creativity, culture, and meaningful expression for our Year 8 artists!
Artistic highlights in Year 9
Year 9 students have had a creative and reflective year in Visual Arts. They began with Personal Still Life drawings, using mixed media to render meaningful objects with detail and skill.
A Cultural Mask Sculpture unit saw students research, design, and craft intricate paper mâché masks, while Mixed Media Self-Portraits allowed them to explore identity through techniques inspired by artists Shepard Fairey and Brad Novak, as well as the Fauvism movement.
Students also engaged with Ngā Toi Māori, creating woodcut prints of Tiki designs inspired by Whakairo and New Zealand artists Michel Tuffery and Carmen Snelgar. Their work this year reflects creativity, cultural appreciation, and technical growth!
Ms Rudden
