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The annual St Christopher’s School Art Exhibition, staged at the senior school campus in Isa Town, opens its doors to the public today to showcase the students’ array of creative skills and bold prints.
The exhibition aims to celebrate the teenagers’ talent and their technical abilities within the frame of innovative and risk-taking compositions.
The event attracts hundreds of art enthusiasts each year as many of the students show off their final pieces before moving on to university or into the workplace.
St Christopher’s head of art, Paula Carr, said: “This exhibition features the students’ Fine Art Course and examination work throughout the year. Our course does not require us to have an exhibition as it’s not part of the specific criteria but I think that it’s really important.
“The students spend a tremendous amount of time and invest emotionally in these pieces. A lot of technical ability goes into their work too, which is why it’s important that they get the recognition they deserve.
“Every year is different but the students influence one another. It was quite political last year in many respects and this year there is quite a mish-mash of material, especially with the paintings.
“I am immensely proud of all these students and it’s wonderful to see the progress they have made as I have taught a lot of them since Year 11, they have really matured.
A lot of the work here is so good that it could be put up alongside the work of leading university and art school students and not look out of place. We are confident that this exhibition will captivate and intrigue guests.”
The giant white walls were brightly lit and covered in large oil and acrylic paintings, alongside sketches of body parts, skeletons, landscapes, portraiture, food, make-up and accessories.
Palmyra Mattner, 18, a Year 13 student, from Barbar, ventured out of her comfort zone by choosing to paint Tibetan portraiture as well as abstract and naturalistic aspects of the skeleton. Artists who experimented with a wide range of styles, subject matters and materials influenced her pieces, entitled Unveiled and The Mystery of Tibet.
Palmyra said: “I started preparing my work during the summer holiday. When I was in Montreal I went to a Tibetan temple where I met a Lama Sherpa, took loads of photographs and then based my work around different elements of the culture.
“For my second topic I wanted to look at the body but then I thought I would concentrate on bones instead. I didn’t want to present it in a typical horror/dark light, it’s a bit more surreal and beautiful.
“I have been studying art for three years and I hope that the visitors appreciate the fact that it’s quite abstract and that I have looked at the subject in a different light.
“Also, I would like the guests to venture close up and look at the mark-making in my work and note that I haven’t painted it in a typical fashion. I have used pen, lots of layering and different techniques to achieve the end result.”
Mehak Kampani, 17, a Year 13 student, from Saar, experimented with media and texture, inspired by several artists such as Cherry Hood, Frank-e Rannou and Paul Wright.
Mehak said: “I am an English literature student and Robert Browning’s poem, Porphyria’s Lover, influenced my work in this exhibition. The poem talks about the different stages of love and hate and how it can turn into something quite disastrous and murderous.
“My topic is love versus hate and the fine line between them. Its starts off with a lot of colour and a vivid use of brush strokes but then it goes onto muted colours and a more subtle use of the brush.
“My other work is about identity. I looked at police mug shots and the way that people are stereotyped.
“I have a really deep connection with my work. I almost feel like I’m creating a story through my art, that’s why I enjoy doing it. To me art is a way to get all those deep emotions out, something that you may not feel comfortable with, so you express it through your work.”
A couple of rows down from Mehak’s work are Johanna Prest’s masterpieces, which depict the empowerment of women. The 18-year-old, Year 13 student, from Budaiya, said: “I have learned that art is not about perfection as unusual and abstract techniques also form beautiful pieces.
“My focus was on female liberation and I was inspired by artists such as Barbara Kruger and Linder Sterling. I used expressive and bold marks with fluorescent colours as well as dynamic brush strokes.
“Some of my art also uses text and can be controversial. For example, I have a picture with text saying ‘the hand you hold holds you down’.
“My other work is based on restrictions. I thought I would paint hands, which at first I was kind of scared of doing because it’s a challenge, but I really enjoyed it. Also, I am used to working with acrylic but this time my teachers urged me to go out of my comfort zone and after I did, I really enjoyed it. I used my brother’s hands for my paintings.
“Art will always be with me and it is therapeutic. The teachers always encourage us to express ourselves.”
Rory Wood, 18, a Year 13 student, from Budaiya, plans on signing up for art courses at university. His paintings are based on surveillance and claustrophobia. Artists such as Guy Denning and Barbara Kruger inspired his work.
Rory said: “My course work is based around the idea of surveillance, how the government keeps track of the masses and ‘Big Brother’ is watching you. One image has passport pictures hidden underneath the background and another has Twitter logos and maps.
“I am thankful to my teachers and the school for encouraging us to try different media and look at different subject matter. I never would have attempted any of these styles if it wasn’t for them.”
GulfWeekly’s team had a sneak preview of the St Christopher’s School show and the results are shown on these pages.
Miss Carr said: “I suppose sometimes we are blind to the students’ abilities because we see the art work all the time, but to have fresh eyes look at it is something else. I hope that other people come in here with that same element of surprise and ask themselves- how old are these kids?”
A private viewing was held for parents and friends yesterday from 6:30pm to 8pm. The exhibition is open to the public all day today and tomorrow and then June 3 to June 5 from 7am to 4pm.
For more information, call 17788101.
