The Art of Australia

The extraordinary number of fires in Australia earlier this year led to a discussion... and a project topic. Students looked up Australia in the world atlas to see where it is on the map. They learned about its resources and geography (it’s a country, a continent and an island!).

 

They watched a news story about the fires, discussed it, and talked about possible solutions. They decided to make their art project center around animals and other creatures found in Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Artist-in-residence Elizabeth Reyes told students about the Aboriginal people and dream artists who use stories to pass on knowledge, values and customs. The use of symbols is an alternate way to write down stories of cultural significance, and to preserve Aboriginal culture and tradition.

First, they sketched out their ideas. Some students took inspiration from facts, symbols and other things they learned about the country to use in their art pieces.

Then, the paints came out! Some students worked as a team, and others individually. Each using their new knowledge to tell a story. One group of girls looked up the Aboriginal flag on a computer and decided to incorporate it into their design.

Another team used their background to show two important aspects of the Australian lifestyle: one side to depict the sun and the other representing water. They decided to use different colors on the lizard because lizards can change colors.

Inspiration and creativity flowed!

The tragedy of the fires and its effect on so many animals in Australia led one team to create a background of yellow, orange and red representing the fires, but with a blue sky and stars to show hope. They liked the dot painting of the aboriginal tribes, so used black dots to outline the kangaroo to make it pop against the fiery colors. They were inspired by dream artists and incorporated some symbols representing a parent and a child, 4 women sitting in a circle, kangaroo tracks, moving tracks and finally the sun.

We have compassion for the people and animals of Australia, and enjoy learning about their art and culture!