By Ms Christina Dunne, Junior School Teacher

As part of the Year 4 Learning Journey, students displayed their clay sculptures alongside several collaborative pieces. Students worked alongside Ms Christina Dunne and First Nations Artist in Residence, Ms Jodie Munday, to create three clay wall hangings and textured dishes. The collaborative work was inspired by First Nations artist Jamie-Lea Trindall.

We planned the artworks based on the idea of natural textures from the local environment. Students were supported to complete the hanging components as well as observe different techniques in clay and the process of bringing the mobiles together. Each person, no matter how small a part they played, made an important contribution in creating the finished work.

Movement of Water was created using a sgraffito technique and shows healthy water and country. Emu Imprint uses real emu feathers from Murrawari country (Western NSW). Gum Leaves was created using leaves and seed pods collected from just one small pocket of bushland in Gossan Hill. These works were made using imprints of natural objects in wet clay as well as mark-making in the clay using a range of tools. Special thanks to Loretta, Yahya, Levi, Jeremiah, Alex C and Victoria for their help curating the artworks for the learning journey.

Student Reflections

I like the Emu Imprint work because I find the textures of the feathers cool – Caitlin

I liked how the colours worked well with the feathers – Peilin

Making the dishes was so fun because we got to press and roll different colours and patterns into our clay – Aurelia

I like how the water sort of moves. It looks like a moving billabong – Sahaja

I like gum leaves, they remind me of intricate details. Gum leaves are also eaten by koalas, and I love koalas – Lara

I like how Ms Munday has incorporated a plethora of Australian flora in the artwork – Lilly

I like the artwork because it represents how native plants are important in many ways – Lachlan