Year 7 and 8's

The Year 7 & 8’s are an extremely talented and focused group of emerging artists.  Just this week they have split into two groups, in order that they can spread out more and thus work more comfortably.  Like the other year groups they have been very conscientious with their visual diaries and many have taken them home to work on.  I’m hoping this is not affecting their other homeworkJ!

In our first lesson we brainstormed ‘what is an artist?’  Here are their interesting initial responses....

Together we brainstormed ‘biodiversity’ and ‘respect’ to focus our creative energy on the appropriate responses for our mural.

Their first brief was to design some borders that will frame our mural.  We discussed ‘kowhaiwhai’ patterns, the beautiful rafter patterns that decorate the inside roof of the wharenui on a marae.  All kowhaiwhai patterns have the shape of the koru or fern frond.

These patterns can be copied in many different ways and the students were taught that they could ‘translate’, ‘reflect’ or ‘rotate’ their pattern.  They were encouraged to be as creative as they liked with their patterns and there were some stunning results.

Paia's border ideas

Tiaan's Border ideas

Nikau's border ideas

Shaelyn's border ideas

Sequoia's border ideas

Like the Year 5 & 6’s they researched their chosen aspect of biodiversity and then launched into their concept drawings.  They are enjoying the use of the different mediums on offer. 

Mural Designs on PhotoPeach 

Next week we consolidate our drawings and begin to collaboratively finalise the design.