AN art teacher and three students from Faith Lutheran College at Victoria Point have been recognised in the Independent Education Union Queensland and Northern Territory’s Awards for Excellence in Art Design.
Teacher Katherine Johnson won the open section, while Charlotte Boyce was awarded in the Year 11/12 category and Zane Van Schalkwyk in the Year 9/10 category.
Manaswini Vanam received a highly commended award in the Year 7/8 section.
Their work was selected from several hundred entries responding to this year’s theme, Reflection.
For Year 12 student Charlotte, the theme became a personal look back at childhood through a recreation of a photograph of herself with her mother.
“As I am graduating this year, it seems meaningful to look back at this time and reflect on everything that has happened since then,” she said.
Charlotte plans to continue creating art as a hobby while pursuing a future career in the defence force.
Zane’s work, depicting a teddy bear in the back seat of a car, used the idea of looking through a rear-view mirror to explore a broader message.
“I am learning to drive so I am always told to look what is behind you,” Zane said.
“And in life, it is always good to look back as well as forward.”
Manaswini also drew inspiration from a vehicle, painting a rear-view mirror reflecting a sunset.
“I wanted to paint good memories,” she said.
Ms Johnson said it was an honour to be recognised alongside her students.
“It has been a privilege to teach such talented students,” she said.
Faith Lutheran College has entered the awards for the past five years, with a previous award received by then-Year 8 student Cameron Burrow.
Ms Johnson, now in her eighth-year teaching at the college, said her own entry featured a pewter goblet from her personal collection of curiosities and paid tribute to two artists she admired.
“It’s good practice to exhibit work yourself and show what you are able to do,” she said.
IEU-QNT branch secretary Terry Burke said reviewers had noted the high standard of entries and the varied interpretations of the theme.
Linda Muller
