SUIS QingPu | Embarking on an Artistic Journey of Oceania

As the leaves of late autumn fall and we look forward to the coming winter, we are greeted by the annual Intercontinental Carnival. This year, our journey of exploration reached the maritime realm of Oceania, a magical region with a truly unique multicultural tapestry. Let’s look at some of the highlights from our art journey in Oceania!

Even before the 2023 summer break, our foreign teachers had already started preparing videos on the art of Oceania with great care. During the holidays, students learned about Oceanic culture through these videos and created designs for the carnival mascot and posters. At the start of the school year, our art team selected outstanding designs which were then digitized to create cultural and creative products inspired by Oceania.

Next, our foreign teacher team in the art department created an extensive and captivating teaching plan based on the cultural background of Oceania. Our co-teachers worked together to implement the activities, encouraging students to actively participate in artistic practice and apply the skills they learned to their creations. Students used brushes to depict the vast landscapes of Oceania, utilized colours to represent the breadth of the ocean, and used sculpture to capture the diverse beauty of nature. The resulting works not only showcased the students’ love for Oceania, but also revealed their passion for art and culture.

First-grade students focused on portraying the fauna and flora of Oceania. They used a variety of materials and techniques to showcase the beauty of the animal world. Their creations vividly depicted colorful schools of fish, graceful jellyfish, vibrant starfish, and playful octopuses, all with a sense of fun and liveliness. Additionally, they brought little koalas to life through drawing, molding, and decorating.

Second-grade students further explored New Zealand Maori culture by using tribal designs to create personalized facial tattoos on their photos. They carefully selected iconic New Zealand patterns for decoration, resulting in eye-catching face tattoo artworks. In addition, students engaged with Australian indigenous people in the classroom, learning and applying aboriginal art techniques such as symmetrical paper cutting and dot painting. They also handcrafted shields and boomerangs, which hold deep traditional significance. Furthermore, the curriculum incorporated the mysterious art of cave paintings. By observing and analyzing the artistic style of cave paintings, students used pastel sticks on textured paper to draw and recreate the charm of this ancient art form.

After learning about the tribal culture of Papua New Guinea, third-grade students were inspired to create their own artwork. They used craft paper to mimic the texture of bark and painted traditional tribal patterns on it, accurately reproducing the artistry of bark paintings. Furthermore, the students mastered the art of Australian dot paintings, bringing a unique artistic ambiance to the thoroughfare.

The fourth-grade curriculum focused on geography, with students studying the geographic features of Oceania’s islands. They engaged in group discussions and delved into the islands’ topography, natural landscapes, marine life, and architectural styles. Subsequently, the students meticulously planned and designed three-dimensional models of nine representative Oceanian islands. These models provided an up-close look at the natural and cultural landscapes of Oceania. Additionally, in collaboration with their teachers, the students carefully designed and decorated the entrance to the Oceania Carnival, aiming to ensure that every campus visitor could immediately experience the unique essence of Oceania.

In their study of Oceania’s architecture, fifth-grade students took on the role of junior architects. They analyzed and discussed the shapes and structural features of distinctive Oceanian buildings. The culmination of their project was the creation of an imaginary underwater city, which they displayed on the steps of the large entrance hall staircase. The students went beyond traditional art methods, learning paper art techniques such as origami, papercutting, and paper carving to craft detailed architectural models that captured the essence of Oceanian architecture. Throughout this creative process, the students closely collaborated, integrating their individual buildings into a unique and cohesive city model.

In their journey of exploring the art and culture of Oceania, the students’ works revealed their deep affection and love for the land. By studying the traditional arts of Australia, they understood the unique way in which the indigenous people incorporate nature and mystery into their art and rituals. Tracing the artistic footprints of New Zealand’s Maori people, the students felt a profound connection to the land and its people. They also encountered the bark paintings of Papua New Guinea and deeply comprehended how culture is passed down and evolves over time.

Although the carnival has come to a close, the students’ journeys far from over. They will continue to trace the cultural footsteps of continents around the world, ever exploring, learning and growing in art. With their expanding knowledge and boundless creativity, they add vibrant strokes to this colourful world.

December 22, 2023 School News