This is no ordinary art exhibition. Traces of Us showcases the work of students from Our Lady of La Vang, a specialist educational facility for students with intellectual disability.
The biennial exhibition is part of the 2018 South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA) and incorporates many, techniques, great expression and creativity from the students. Around 100 large fluid art canvases, drawings, mosaics and fabric and sculpture work will be on display.
The artwork is the result of a two-year journey for students and staff as they have worked with Artist in Residence, Bindi Amor.
Bindi is inspired by the freedom of choice for the students. She will often set up a work space with a plan in mind - also knowing it will never be followed. The joy of standing back and waiting for a student to find her, wherever she is set up in the school yard, with the mediums to create joy is beautiful and unexpected.
Bindi believes there is an artist in all students, she seeks to engage students by making the process exciting and surprising.
The artist in residence program at Our Lady of La Vang has provided the students with the opportunity to be spontaneous, joyful, and free to enjoy the ability to express their journey in the moment. Student styles include, layering of paint, sandpit art, dribbling, squirting and spraying along with recycling of materials.
From the smallest drawing of ‘the skink’ by one student who is immersed in his love for these tiny creatures, to the largest like ‘the Whale’, created over many months with many students’ involvement.
Some of our student artists bring the greatest rewards with the quotes recorded as they create their masterpieces:
The exhibition will be officially opened on Friday 31 August by Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education South Australia.
It will be open to public on Saturday September 1 and Sunday September 2 from 10 - 2pm at 11 Malcolm Street, Flinders Park. Music ensembles and solo artists from Nazareth College will accompany the exhibition.
The school community of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College has received national acclaim for their “good energy.”
