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.

Year 5 & 6's

The Year 5 & 6’s are a bright and exciting group of artists.  They began the year rather quietly, not speaking too much to one another, but now they've warmed up and they are creating (and talking) with much energy and flavour. 

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

Their visual diaries are full of their thoughts and ideas.  They are learning that as artists these books are incredibly important as they contain vital personal information that assists them greatly in their craft.   The back of their books contains all their relevant research data and they have been collating many images to do with ‘Biodiversity’ and cultural patterns. 

The beginning stages

Saula hard at work

Milania concentrating on her design

Sia adding bursts of colour

The mural is very much in the minds of these artists as they design and create their images.  Our theme is ‘Respect is the basis for Biodiversity’.  We brainstormed the concepts for both ‘respect’ and ‘biodiversity’.

The students then used these ideas to springboard into whatever area they desired.  They have also had freedom in the choice of materials.  Many have chosen to use the Caran D’ache Neocolour wax pastels on black paper.  It produces a wonderfully rich quality.  Others have experimented with vivid, pencils and dye.

It’s wonderful to see the unique cultural patterns coming through in some of their work.

In Week 8 we begin to finalise our designs and then collaboratively work on our final composition.

And then the painting of the mural begins....watch this space!!!






'Biodiversity' by the Year 5 and 6's on PhotoPeach