GILLIAN HORWITZ
Picasso once said: “Every child is an artist.” This clearly was the case when viewing the lower and upper courts of the centre that were brimming with over 600 two-dimensional and three-dimensional art works from grade R to grade 7 pupils.
The King David Sandton art department embraces a contemporary and broad concept of the visual arts, incorporating digital media, craft, and textiles. The primary school pupils employed diverse media and techniques in their photographs, drawings, paintings, prints and sculptures.
Art specialist Vivienne Weiner, used her talents to inspire the children to explore their artistic abilities, even though many believed they “can’t do art!”
Yet, when they saw their work on display, all negative feelings were dispelled and they became empowered to continue to achieve and create boldly and confidently.
Viewers were drawn to touch the intense textural detail of the grade 5 oil pastel paintings of animals. The highly-skilled pencil techniques in the grade 7 still life drawings, prompted the same reaction to see if they were handmade or if they were prints!
In contrast to this closely observed subject matter, grade 6 pupils were exposed to the tenets of abstract art, which were realised in their powerful, rhythmical and balanced mixed media compositions.
With their work on public display, the children lived the life of a professional artist for a week. The praise and recognition they received together with their pride, were bound to strengthen their self- esteem.
An event like this contributes to nurturing a cultural education and revitalises the credence the Jewish people place on the arts.
