Students taking the course had an opportunity to display their two years work to their family and friends, with some other younger students. Visitors were welcomed by the artists and their artworks, as well as with some light snacks.
The exhibition is a part of the course’s syllabus, however not only is it done to check a requirement, but is a great opportunity for the students to showcase the effort each one put into their artworks. The first year of visual arts acts as a foundation period, when students are encouraged to explore different mediums and art forms. Ultimately, every student decides the materials they want to work with, and work on curating a body of work during the second year. What they showed us in this exhibition was exactly that. Each student had their own distinct art style, and exhibited artworks made in various media, such as clay sculpture, photography, painting, and dress-making.
Clara C., one of the students kindly took the time to explain the meaning behind her artworks and thought processes, and one in particular stood out. “Metamorphosis” represents the process of self evolution, with a figure wrapped in a cocoon made from her past selves. This abstract but deeply personal connection to the artwork inspired me both as a passing viewer, and also as a Visual Arts student myself.
Ms. Turner, the DP Visual Arts teacher expressed the pride she felt towards her students as she watched them grow more and more independent as artists. “I think it is difficult for someone who is not taking visual arts to understand the hours and decisions you have to make and continuing on when you have a block in your process … Art making is a journey of one kind, and sometimes it’s hard to get the students out of the classroom. They are a very close group and I am very proud of them,” she said.
Overall, the exhibition was a place where the students got to present the time and passion poured into art making that was rather hidden until now, and a place where creativity bursted with diverse colors and styles. The Aula, filled with artworks, was very inspiring and created a sense of reverence, moving the emotion of each person that visited.
