Ceramic Kimonos

In order to integrate students' learning of Japanese language, we have tackled many Japanese themed art projects this year.

This sculpture project was inspired by the work of grade 8 students from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy here at Artsonia.   These ceramic kimonos were made by grade 4 and 5 students using slab construction techniques and stand approximately 15-20cm tall.

Students designed 3 paper template pieces for their kimono, much like a dress-making pattern which were laid onto thinly rolled slabs of clay and joined and sculpted to form a free-standing sculpture. (Having said that, many kimonos had to be glued to wooden bases after firing as they were a little unstable but I think either way looks fine).

Students used gloss glazes to add colour and pattern to their kimono, using Japanese papers and photographs of traditional kimonos as inspiration.

 

South African Inspired Pottery

These gorgeous little pinch pots were made recently by my grade one students after admiring the South African guinea fowl pot (pictured left), which I borrowed from a parent and staff member. (Thanks Mariette!).

The students were shown how to use pinch and pull methods with clay to create a small, round pinch pot which was glazed with orange inside and later painted with black and white paints on the outside.

Students were given a choice of white on black, or black on white and the rows of dots were made with cotton buds.

I think these pots are just perfectly imperfect and look amazing all together. Perhaps I will never let the kids take these home!

Paper Chain Chinese Dragons

These dragon sculptures were made by my Grade Ones earlier this year to celebrate Year of the Dragon on the Chinese calendar. The idea for this project came from this great craft project at 'Naturally Educational'. Students began by choosing a piece of coloured paper of their choice. One side of their page was decorated with oil pastel stripes and the other was stamped with a plastic lid dipped in gold paint to imply the texture of dragon scales. Once dry, this paper was cut into strips and glued to form a paper chain. Another sheet of coloured paper was folded for the dragon's head. We used a basic origami hat. I helped the kids to staple the head to their paper chain body. I showed examples of Chinese dragon costumes and then provided coloured paper scraps and googly eyes and asked the students to decorate their dragons.

Harmony Day Celebrations

I don't normally post non-art lesson stuff, but I thought some of you may appreciate some of the photos I took last month during my school's Harmony Day celebrations. Students and staff were asked to abandon our normal strict uniform and dress in traditional cultural dress of another country. Australia is so multicultural and the school I work for is almost entirely made up of migrant families. Here are some snaps of some of the fascinating things kids wore to school  on this day. Oh, and my family are actually Scottish but alas I don't own a kilt so that's me in the Frida Kahlo costume I put together at the last minute - not that anyone knew who I was supposed to be!?!