A group of art students from Queen Elizabeth Secondary have their work showcased at the District Education Centre in recognition of their hard work, creativity and perspectives communicated through visual media.
Art pieces from five Queen Elizabeth Secondary students are currently on display in the District Education Centre's corporate gallery.
Five Grade 12 students had their work selected to hang on the walls of the corporate gallery. While the gallery is not open to the public, arts education helping teacher Tricia Liversidge said she wished to highlight some of the amazing work these students have done through the school's arts program.
"Looking at each individual piece, you can see that there is a story embedded in each of them," said Liversidge. "The work that's being done is just so striking and beautiful to see."
Karyn Johnson, an art teacher at Queen Elizabeth Secondary, said she encourages all of her students to have a creative outlet and tries to instill not only the technical principles of making art, but the use of personal experiences, thoughts, attitudes and emotions to deliver a message in their work.
"It becomes their visual language that they use in a personal way, and each one of these five pieces demonstrates a personal engagement with the materials and the process," said Johnson. "By the time they get to Grade 11 and 12, it's a lot about, 'What do you have to say?' I want them to think about what's important to them, whether it's innately personal, social, political, a story.
"My hope is that they go to SFU Fine Arts or Emily Carr University and that these concepts are not completely foreign, pushing at the edges of some kind of commentary, because that's what they're going to be asked to do."
Through the arts programs from Grade 8 to 12, students gain an understanding for such fundamentals as the use of colour to alter mood of artwork. But Johnson and Liversidge agreed that students must also have the freedom to try out-of-the-box techniques.
"Creativity doesn't have to follow rules, there is so much opportunity to try something different," said Liversidge, noting the use of beading on an acrylic canvas as one example. "I was so impressed with the multimedia work, it adds a dimension to the intricacy of it."
From left to right, the students and their artist statements are as follows:
Gagan Sond, Grade 12
This painting was inspired by a special place in the world for me. It is one I visit quite often and is filled with all sorts of memories. I do not usually talk openly about this place with my friends, however, for me to paint this was important. The flower stem in the front is actually in the tile print in the back of the building in real life. The same print is a tattoo on my forearm/wrist. This painting evokes many events that have shaped the person that I am today and not being able to go back recently has been extremely tough. For this reason, painting this was such an amazing way to release my emotions onto the canvas.
Amira Amir, Grade 12
When told to come up with our idea for a painting, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do since we weren't told what to paint specifically like last year. However, I did know that I wanted to paint something different since I always paint portraits, but something still pretty. There was no real inspiration or meaning behind this painting other than the fact that I wanted to try something new. I think my painting turned out well and I'm happy with the result.
Nih-Tawnis Dustyhorn, Grade 12
This painting was created to bring awareness to the issue that has been going on in Canada and the United States, which is missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Although this is a national crisis stated by the government, not many people are aware that Indigenous women in their communities are up to 10 times more likely to be murdered, sexually assaulted and stolen. The painting itself has a red hand that is across the mouth and is beaded. The red hand, usually across the mouth, is a symbol to indicated solidarity.
Hmeet Rai, Grade 12
This painting is of the lower falls at Golden Ears Provincial Park. The rocks there are massive and the water's movement is awe inspiring. When I'm in a natural environment, everything around me seems so fresh and vibrant and I feel a sense of calmness and happiness. It's a feeling that I can't accurately describe in words, so I tried to communicate it through my painting.
Gerald Florita, Grade 12
There are a lot of decisions in life. The coin represents taking a risk and seeing where life takes me. Flipping the coin and seeing which side it will land on.
