ARTStanding

Year 9 L.E.A.F. Project

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It has been an absolute pleasure being involved in the Life Cycles - The L.E.A.F. Project with Year 9 Art students this term. All students have participated authentically and honestly through working with art therapist, Jane Smeets, Art Coordinator at Southern Adelaide Palliative Services.

Students engaged in a range of activities and discussions that inspired consideration of the lifecycle and the events within, and that every stage of life should be celebrated. The LEAF Project is centred on Life, Education, Art and Feelings, and presents human life as a part of nature.

Students were encouraged to use art as the vehicle to express happiness, joy, sadness and grief. At times the Project may have been confronting but the lesson plans were carefully considered to ensure a positive experience for participating students.

The final exhibited artwork that students created as a result of the project are a response to a particular theme or idea that has arisen in the sessions with Jane. The objective of the project is to continue to create a culture that is accepting and supportive of students who are experiencing change and instil new skills that enable young people to identify and acknowledge their feelings.

Student artwork is currently exhibited in the Carmel Bourke Library, where it will remain on display for a few more weeks.

Below is a photograph of work created by Sophie Faulkner 9GB, plus Sophie’s written reflection on the work.

Ms Luisa Stocco
Visual Arts Coordinator

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Student Reflection

My piece is about the thoughts or feelings that people push away and bottle up. The heart is trapped inside a prison and pinned down with wire to ensure that everything is kept trapped. Some people, because of tragedy, do not allow themselves to hope for much and very rarely let people see them for who they are. The barbed wire symbolises the layers of defence put up and the things blocking clear view of the heart.

Sophie Faulkner
9GB