Adding highlights.
Author: Kim Morris,
Visual Arts teacher,
St Andrews International School
In order to practice the Visual Art department’s
philosophy of “Learning to see,” some of our Year 10 students ventured out
to the Sanctuary of Truth in Naklua. Their aim being, to photographically
record the amazing craftsmanship and document, using observational drawing,
those sculptures and relief carvings that inspired them the most.
A dismal, rainy day threatened to ruin the experience but
the sunshine made it through the clouds and, coupled with a cool breeze and
the sound of the waves breaking on the shore, it turned out to be a perfect
day for drawing.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said one of the
students. “We should do this every week.”
Amita at work.
Taking Art lessons out of the classroom is essential if
students are to develop artwork that is exciting and relates to their own
feelings and experiences. I could easily have given them my photographs to
work from instead of organising a trip but they would have not had the
enthusiasm, the visual or personal memories, the experience of watching
craftsman and being a part of their working day or the sense of being a
temporary part of the temple and someone else’s visit.
The artwork has greater meaning and purpose when there is
personal involvement and choice. The student’s work, photographs and
memories will all become a part of the work that is developed back in the
studio.
We would like to thank all of the staff at the Sanctuary
of Truth for making us so welcome and for taking an interest in the
students’ work. If you’ve never been to this temple, it is well worth a
visit. Make sure your camera battery is charged and your drawing book is
packed as there is plenty to see, record and draw.
Freya at one with the
sculpture.
Twanya making the most of the
open air temple.
Girls in hard hats.
Pen and brush.
Ball point pen.
Media experimentation.
Back in the studio.
Working with charcoal.
