St Joseph's Nudgee College

June 3, 2011

St Joseph’s Nudgee College Years 5-7 Art Workshop students are hoping their horse performs well when it competes at Eagle Farm Racecourse next week.

For the past term the students have been working on a project to paint a life size horse for the AAMI Stradbroke School Painting competition in relation to the Brisbane Racing Carnival.
 
Years 5-7 Art Teacher Ms Poppie Kenneally reports on the boys work and explains the various elements represented on the horse. 

The Brisbane Racing Carnival is a smorgasbord of activities, events and visual delights for all ages. The students of Nudgee College’s Years 5-7 Art Workshop have tried to capture this lively atmosphere by the amalgamation of all things carnival through the visual connection of ribbons.  

Multiple ribbons are draped around the horse’s neck and flow down the length of the body to the tail. Signifying the traditional representation of honour and competition, the ribbons form organic shapes throughout the horse. Within each shape is an aspect of the racing carnival that the students wanted to portray.

A plethora of fashionable hats adorn one side, so too do an array of jockey silks and caps, celebratory champagne glasses, whips and trophies. Like a pair of bright pants, the horse wears the lively expression of a cheerful crowd and first place on his hind legs.

The spirit of the carnival is culminated at the tail, where the ribbons are twisted together in a vibrant rainbow like effect that symbolises the coming together of the different aspects of the carnival.

It was with this ethos of togetherness that the students participated in the competition. Every Wednesday afternoon, a collection of Year 5, 6 and 7 boys came together forming the Years 5-7 Art Workshop. Initial designs were formed in class, and then as individuals and in pairs, students were in charge of painting their designs. Using pencil initially and then acrylic paint, the students brought their ideas to life.

Stylised images were repeated to make easily communicated patterns. Vibrant colours were used to express the intensity of the carnival. Bold black lines define the boundaries of the ribbons and contrast with the bright colours, creating order and flow.

As a group the students all worked well together. Being a collection of boys from different year levels, all students were happy to share ideas and work harmoniously. Working in such a concentrated space and on an undulating surface proved to have its difficulties; however with trust and collaboration the boys managed to overcome their boundaries and celebrate a team spirit and unity, proving to be a successful experience for all involved.

Judging is on Tuesday 7th June at the ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ event at Eagle Farm Racecourse. 
 

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