ART PRIMARY
The Art Department has had an excellent year with many exciting opportunities to create unique works of art both in school and at home. This year, we have also expanded in terms of art studios and art teachers and now boast a dedicated Primary Art Studio and a state of the art Secondary Art Studio which are both breath taking and inspiring spaces to create Art. There are now two art teachers, Mrs. Emma Bowden (Years 1, 2 and 3) and myself, Mrs Lucy Payn (Year 4 through to Year 10). In Art & Design this year, students have been taught a broad spectrum of new techniques, art forms, materials. As a visual medium, art elicits a positive emotional response and it’s a joy to see these responses in the students we see on a daily basis. Because art is an investigative process it promotes creative thinking to the benefit of many other subjects in the curriculum. All students in Key stage 1 & 2 have been working in a sketchbook where they explore ideas and art mediums before completing an art work. This fully enables them to engage with the creative process of ideas giving them time to review, modify and refine their work as it progresses. In years 1, 2 and 3 ideas and techniques have been recorded in sketchbooks to create a timeline to look back on and refer to as part of the creative journey. Some of the project highlights include the Year 1 papier mache camels inspired by the history and landscape of the UAE. The camels are waiting patiently to have their final coat of paint and join the caravan trail when students return to school. Year 2 created amazing dreamtime stories influenced by ancient dot painting techniques, this was coincidentally at the time of the Australian bushfires so had significant meaning. Year 3 worked on layering techniques with collage, using complementary colours with tissue to give more impact to their final piece. Year 4 had an amazing time diving into the Amazon Rainforest to create their mixed media pieces with hidden animals and beautiful plants inspired by artist Henri Rouseau. Year 5 created some wonderful Greek inspired pots with images of their lives inscribed on the side, which are waiting for their first firing in the kiln. Year 6 created ‘Moving People’ sculptures, from wire and mod roc after studying the work of artist Alberto Giacometti anatomy and drawing figures in movement. Online learning has been an incredible experience in 50
YEARBOOK 2019-20
art which has highlighted the confidence, skills and amazing progress students have made from limited materials and resources. From creating intricate Zentangle patterns, Pop Art aliens, cartoon selfies, loo roll art and shadow art using coffee, the results have been nothing but inspiring. In year 1-3 many line and drawing techniques have been improved during online learning, the students have shown increased ability and understanding through studying the video lessons that have covered the different elements of art. As you can see from the pictures, students have enjoyed working on their projects and have produced some excellent work. There are still some unfinished pieces of art due to our quick change to online learning. I am sure the children are looking forward to coming back to school to complete them as they are ready and waiting. There are also photos of the incredible art pieces and drawings created at home, including some fabulous Junk Art sculptures. They should all be very proud of what they have achieved during this year of surreal changes in our world as they have all coped remarkably well. Mrs Bowden and myself, cannot wait until we see all the students again at Hartland working diligently in the art studios.
