The little learners were introduced to the dreamlike world of Charles Blackman, whose figurative and narrative style inspired them to create their own visual stories. Using soft pastels and dark outlines, they experimented with drawing expressive characters, often placed in imaginative or mysterious settings, echoing Blackman’s iconic Alice in Wonderland series.
Moving from narrative to emotion, the children explored the swirling skies and thick brushwork of Vincent Van Gogh. Using brushes, they recreated bold self-portraits with emphasis on movement and emotion. The children were encouraged to feel the energy of each brushstroke.
The program also introduced the children to the musical and visual art of John Lennon, whose simple line drawings and messages of peace became the foundation for drawing activities focused on line, shape and symbolic meaning. Children used black ink and fine markers to create their own expressive sketches inspired by Lennon’s minimalistic style.
A week inspired by Henri Matisse brought colour and abstraction into the spotlight. Children used scissors and coloured paper to make bold collages, learning about balance, contrast, and positive and negative space. This tactile approach offered a different kind of artistic expression, focusing on shape and movement rather than drawing.
The works of Friedensreich Hundertwasser introduced pattern, architecture and nature into the studio. Inspired by his love of spirals and vibrant organic shapes, the children used oil pastels and watercolour to create lively, abstract cityscapes and imaginary environments full of colour and movement.
The program also highlighted Australian Indigenous art. A deeper connection to Australian art was fostered through the work of Jimmy Pike, a Walmajarri artist known for his colourful, symbolic representations of desert landscapes and Dreaming stories. Children explored dot painting techniques and experimented with earthy tones and repetitive marks to represent stories and connections to nature. Another highlight was the vibrant, large-scale paintings of Sally Gabori, a contemporary Indigenous artist from Bentinck Island. Inspired by her expressive, abstract landscapes, children used big brushes and bright paints to layer colour, creating bold, energetic artworks that reflected their feelings and memories of place.
Adding a classical Australian touch to the program was the inclusion of Margaret Olley, one of the country’s most celebrated still life painters. Her warm, detailed interiors and floral arrangements inspired children to slow down and observe the everyday beauty around them. Using pencils and watercolours, students arranged and created their own still life compositions from their environment, developing their skills in detail, colour mixing and composition.
A standout moment of the term was the children’s deep dive into the world of Yayoi Kusama. Known as the “Queen of Polka Dots,” Kusama’s bold, immersive installations sparked a burst of creativity. Children created their very own Kindy Obliteration Room where they covered a space in coloured dots, exploring repetition, contrast and the joy of playful pattern-making.
Throughout the program, our children are exposed to a wide variety of media including paint, pastels, collage and ink. The program supports not only artistic skill development but also emotional expression, cultural understanding and creative confidence.
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