Visual stories with unlimited creative possibilities, Mandalas have fascinated mankind through the centuries.
Primary school children readily take to expressing themselves using the shapes, images and colours of Mandalas.
Karen offers four Mandala programs for schools, three that focus on raising awareness (ie. Cultural Awareness, Self Awareness and Environment Awareness) and the other on enhancing the school grounds.
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Cultural Awareness Mandala program
- Tibetan Sand Mandalas.
- American Indian Sand Mandalas.
- Exploring the concepts and uses of these Mandalas and drawing parallels between them.
- Creating Mandalas that are specific to our culture.
- Enactment of Mandala ritual/creation.
- What makes me unique?
- What links me with others - family, friends, culture, environment?
- Who am I?
Environment Awareness Mandala program
- What are the creatures around us?
- What influences are in our surrounding world eg.seasons, weather?
- Where do we live?
- What cycles do we experience?
- What is 'our world'?
This three panel mural was designed collaboratively with students, staff and the artist for the library of the Napean School, a special school in Frankston. The theme was ‘Other worlds that books open’ beautifying the area and adding another dimension to reading.
It was created with input from every student and also their hands on contribution where possible. Extra features were openings doors that revealed other parts of the picture and three dimensional objects that were later attached so that this mural is a ‘touch and feel, interactive’ art piece.
Lilydale High School Mosaic - Regeneration
Situated in a breezeway of the school this mosaic represents the experience of regeneration of students, staff and their environment, following the bushfires of 2010. It is a mosaic of hope and recovery depicting the tenacity of the spirit within all living things. Designed by students, Sarah Hardy and myself it took 15 days to complete. About 15 meters long and up to 4 meters high, it involved working with students from year 7 to year 12, staff and the wider community – all who in some way had been affected by the bush fires.
Components of this mosaic included ceramic pieces created individually and later incorporated into the design such as homes, farm animals and fields. Leaves of the different trees and vegetation sheltered many creatures such as lizards, frogs, echidnas, birds and insects. The waterways recovered with fish, lilies and reeds.
Features such as the rosella and the butterflies are made in tiles and the use of glass enhances the design creating light catching and reflective effects. The ceramics and use of different tiles added to the contrasting profile as this design which was created to be a tactile work of art.
SCHOOLS OF SPRINGVALE AREA
Mandala art project promoting unity amongst young people of different ages, cultures and socio economic backgrounds in the area of Springvale. Coming from five different schools, primary and secondary children created mandalas as stepping stones to decorate an outside area which they could use in out of school hours programs.
SPRINGVALE PRIMARY 2009
Students that were migrants created a large mandala representing things which they valued. This mandala was to beautify an outdoor area made for reflection - a quiet and safe place to 'be'.
Large wall mosaics were created by all students from preps. to grade six, some staff and parents. They were involved with conceptual themes, design, drafting and making the art work itself. The mandalas sit either side of the front entrance representing the four school houses and important values held by students. The birds are local and are often seen in the area and grounds.
WANTIRNA COLLEGE 2008
Mandalas created by year 10 students exploring art and different mediums to express emotions.
Mural created to enhance passage way and show how art can be developed through inspiration from other artists. This tropical scene was influenced by the works of Henri Roseau and painted with year 5 and 6 students.
Mosaics created by the students of Kingspark Primary School.
The wave of life is a mosaic that represents the journey of life - the ups and downs and how we are swept along in the ebb and flow. Under the surface we discover different aspects of life, things that we had been unaware of but can enrich our experiences.
Emperor Gum Caterpillar by students of Westgarth Primary.
Represents the metamorphosis - the process that brings us from childhood into adults.
Copperfield Secondary College
THE WAVE OF LIFE CONTINUES - large mosaic linking to the neighboring primary school's mosaic design. This huge art project aimed at assisting the transition of students from primary to secondary school. As a joint project, students from both campuses worked together creating the design, smashing tiles, mosaicing and grouting to create this amazing work of art. Symbolically it represents the journey through childhood and adolescence to emerging on the land of the adult. During that journey we encounter many challenges. Help and support are available to get us through.
Peninsula Secondary Schools Prrogram2008
Different schools were represented by four groups of year nine students that created these mandalas. There were two groups of females and two groups of males. Each student produced their own mandala and then offered that piece to be 're-created' into a larger production. This process represented an appreciation for the individual - perception, application, expression - and how this is a valuable contribution to a group.
Lyndale Secondary College - 'Listen Up' Program - Refugee week
Pastel art portraits created by year 7 & 8 students involved in the 'Listen Up' Program running during Refugee week at Lyndale Secondary College, Dandenong.
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School-Ground Enhancement Mandalas
Garden Mandalas.
Structural Mandalas.
Tile and ceramic Mandalas.
Frog mosaic Lilydale Primary school
Click here to discuss enhancing your Art Curriculum.
Working as a local artist in residence I aim to enhance the profile of the Arts within your school and the wider community by welding a number of cross-curriculur activities, showing that Art (visual and performing) is an integral part of our community.
I would demonstrate the methodical approach to creating Mandalas and explain that this art form has far reaching connotations - it is more than just a pretty picture or an interesting design.
Objectives for a Mandala project:
- To enhance the status of the Arts within the school and surrounding community by introducing this fascinating art form - its history and application today.
- To explore the different mediums and modes of Mandala expression.
- To provide quality art experiences for students, parents, teachers and the wider community.
- To highlights art as a career, teaching the aspects and qualities of such via the artist and teachers.
- To teach introspection and self-awareness through art expression and engender a sense of wellbeing.
- To enrich cultural awareness and understanding.
- To enable students to host and organise an art exhibition.
- To improve school grounds by producing features such as Mandala gardens, Mandala mosaics and ceramic Mandala inlays.
- Curriculum enrichment in Art, English, English Literature, Psychology, Music, Drama, Computer studies and S.O.S.E.
Mandala projects would be aimed at different sections of the school and could encompass junior school years through to year 12 in a variety of subjects.
Culmination of Mandala projects involves a number of displays of student's works. These could include digital computer displays, visual arts, Power Point slide images, drama and movement/dance accompanied by music choreographed specifically for Mandala art form. The possibilities with this fascinating art form are endless.
View my work with Lilydale High School or contact the school.
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