A plethora of delicately drawn plumages is on display at Motueka District Library, as part of Motueka High School’s latest art exhibition.
Art and design teacher Bessie Adie says students began the project with observational drawings of New Zealand birds.
“They then explored the power of meaning in artwork by studying traditional Māori art forms, such as kōwhaiwhai, tukutuku and tāniko patterns.”
The students developed their final pieces after researching either New Zealand artist Sophie Minson or the aesthetic of 1940s postage stamps.
Paige Bishop, 14, says she chose a flamingo as the focus of her piece because she likes the colour pink.
“It was quite different to what other people had done.” Maia Orange, 13, says tūī are her favourite native bird. She created her piece using a combination of wet media, layered with pencil.
“I found it pretty fun – we worked together most of the time and gave each other ideas.”
Bessie says the process resulted in a “spectacular collaborative exhibition” at Te Noninga Kumu – Motueka District Library. The exhibition runs until Friday, 12 December, and the artworks are for sale for $10 each.
