by Athena Thomas (G.10)
On the 22nd of May Raha International School’s Grade 12 Visual Arts students presented their artworks at Yas Island’s Rotana Hotel.
The evening opened with a speech by Ms. Daniela Parkinson, the grade 12 Diploma Programe, Visual Arts teacher. She commended the girls on their hard work throughout this course and praised their courage to create artworks “critical of our society”. Ms. Marian Rossiter, the Head of Secondary School, also congratulated the artists on their achievements in a speech highlighting the importance of art in our lives.
The participating artists Daniela Mapeso, Amber Moore, Lisa Seo and Subul Wasi are graduating students from Raha this year and have created these artworks as part of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Course. The course entails a maximum of 12 (at Standard Level) or 18 artworks (at Higher Level), all of which concern a topic chosen by the artist prior to execution. The topics chosen by these artists seemed simple on the surface, but had deeper underlying meanings that were expressed through the freedom of their art.
Daniela Mapeso, a Higher Level student, focused on the Media & Film Industry – concentrating on society’s veneration of it and the illusions it presents. Littered with references to popular culture, her works were accessible and easy to identify with. Through an assortment of mediums, Mapeso encouraged viewers to adopt a more critical view of the media industry and the control it has over us. Daniela has been accepted into the University of Northern Carolina to study Pre-communications film and media.
A more personal approach to the project was taken by Amber Moore, a Higher Level student, who chose to explore light and dark. Beginning with the physical aspects of light and dark, she went on to examine the figurative light and dark in human minds. This resulted in pieces targeting recent world events, like the Arab Spring. Moore provided a poignant view into the human psyche with the repeated juxtaposition of light against dark.
Lisa Seo’s topic of ‘Games’ also tested viewers by investigating the psychological and physical effects of games. A Standard Level student, her artworks addressed different kinds of games, from the political to the cultural. Expressed through a selection of mediums, from silk painting to pencils, Seo’s works encompassed with stunning simplicity some of the most complicated facets of our society.
Subul Wasi, also a Higher Level student, explored the textiles industry in Pakistan. Inspired by her Pakistani heritage, Wasi incorporated color, texture and pattern into her works by using a variety of different media. The usage of unfamiliar mediums, like recycled fabrics, to represent common scenes challenged the viewers’ minds and presented them with new perspectives. Subul has been accepted into The University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada studying Global Business and digital Arts. Her folio also accessed her to the Carlton University, Canada, International Multimedia and Design.
Albeit their small number, the artists put on a diverse show with over 50 artworks in 17 different mediums. Ranging from the traditional, like batik, to the modern, like digital prints, the students have shown their versatility by manipulating a wide range of mediums including metal pieces and clay.
Visitors to the art show were impressed with the quality of art, especially with the concepts these pieces were able to convey. Ms. Julie Brunelle, a teacher who has helped these students with their artworks along the way, is “really proud of the students and the time and effort they’ve put into completing their works”.
Ms Daniela would like to thank the generous sponsorship provided by the staff at the Yas Island Rotana Hotel and GAC transportation. Their support was such an integral part to the success of this exhibition.
Raha’s fourth Grade 12 Visual Arts Exhibition has been a success, with gallery standard artworks that are not afraid to question the society we live in.
On the 22nd of May Raha International School’s Grade 12 Visual Arts students presented their artworks at Yas Island’s Rotana Hotel.
The evening opened with a speech by Ms. Daniela Parkinson, the grade 12 Diploma Programe, Visual Arts teacher. She commended the girls on their hard work throughout this course and praised their courage to create artworks “critical of our society”. Ms. Marian Rossiter, the Head of Secondary School, also congratulated the artists on their achievements in a speech highlighting the importance of art in our lives.
The participating artists Daniela Mapeso, Amber Moore, Lisa Seo and Subul Wasi are graduating students from Raha this year and have created these artworks as part of the International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Course. The course entails a maximum of 12 (at Standard Level) or 18 artworks (at Higher Level), all of which concern a topic chosen by the artist prior to execution. The topics chosen by these artists seemed simple on the surface, but had deeper underlying meanings that were expressed through the freedom of their art.
Daniela Mapeso, a Higher Level student, focused on the Media & Film Industry – concentrating on society’s veneration of it and the illusions it presents. Littered with references to popular culture, her works were accessible and easy to identify with. Through an assortment of mediums, Mapeso encouraged viewers to adopt a more critical view of the media industry and the control it has over us. Daniela has been accepted into the University of Northern Carolina to study Pre-communications film and media.
A more personal approach to the project was taken by Amber Moore, a Higher Level student, who chose to explore light and dark. Beginning with the physical aspects of light and dark, she went on to examine the figurative light and dark in human minds. This resulted in pieces targeting recent world events, like the Arab Spring. Moore provided a poignant view into the human psyche with the repeated juxtaposition of light against dark.
Lisa Seo’s topic of ‘Games’ also tested viewers by investigating the psychological and physical effects of games. A Standard Level student, her artworks addressed different kinds of games, from the political to the cultural. Expressed through a selection of mediums, from silk painting to pencils, Seo’s works encompassed with stunning simplicity some of the most complicated facets of our society.
Subul Wasi, also a Higher Level student, explored the textiles industry in Pakistan. Inspired by her Pakistani heritage, Wasi incorporated color, texture and pattern into her works by using a variety of different media. The usage of unfamiliar mediums, like recycled fabrics, to represent common scenes challenged the viewers’ minds and presented them with new perspectives. Subul has been accepted into The University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada studying Global Business and digital Arts. Her folio also accessed her to the Carlton University, Canada, International Multimedia and Design.
Albeit their small number, the artists put on a diverse show with over 50 artworks in 17 different mediums. Ranging from the traditional, like batik, to the modern, like digital prints, the students have shown their versatility by manipulating a wide range of mediums including metal pieces and clay.
Visitors to the art show were impressed with the quality of art, especially with the concepts these pieces were able to convey. Ms. Julie Brunelle, a teacher who has helped these students with their artworks along the way, is “really proud of the students and the time and effort they’ve put into completing their works”.
Ms Daniela would like to thank the generous sponsorship provided by the staff at the Yas Island Rotana Hotel and GAC transportation. Their support was such an integral part to the success of this exhibition.
Raha’s fourth Grade 12 Visual Arts Exhibition has been a success, with gallery standard artworks that are not afraid to question the society we live in.