Monday, February 10, 2014

A Sample of Student Work I Am Proud Of

This sculpture was created by a fourth grader at Pomaika'i Elementary School in 2010.  The project was to create a model double hulled voyaging canoe out of clay and paint a sail representing Hawaiian sailing culture.  Along with techniques such as handbuilding and painting, this project integrated with the 4th grade Social Studies curriculum covering pre-contact Hawaiian history.  

I feel that when energy is put into making something, that energy becomes a part of the piece.  This student invested herself in the subject matter and the process.  She demonstrated a connection to the stories of the ancient Hawaiians and historical artist Herb Kane.  She also added details that rose out of her personal expression.  All of this, together, created a work of art I am proud of. 

First, I am proud of the student's attention to technique.  Working with clay is not easy, and this student took the time to grasp and deftly apply the modified pinch-pot and score-and-slip techniques covered in the class.  The painting on the sail was her chance to express the canoe's voyage, as well as demonstrate watercolor technique.  She experimented with washes and mixed colors both on pallet and paper.  She added detail and expressed mood while sustaining the clarity of her image.  The choices she made add up to a beautiful work of art.  

I also feel that through the shape of the canoe and careful depictions on the sail she demonstrated a visual understanding of and connection to the material, the Native Hawaiian voyaging canoe by way of artist Herb Kane's historical paintings.  

Finally, she made creative choices that added to the whole.  Even if a choice such as curving in the hulls of the canoe is a slight divergence from Herb Kane's canoe paintings, it adds to the work of art.  Because of the nature of working with clay, the students were not instructed to create a perfect replica, but rather to incorporate the main details.  She did this and then spent extra time and care with the clay to take the sculpture further.  She showed the creative and technical confidence to add her own expression.  

This canoe sculpture expresses what I look for in a students' work.  I want the student to show attention to skills taught, attention and emotional connection to the story or subject matter, and the confidence to add and express their own ideas.

For more on the project, and more student samples, click HERE.

For a sample lesson plan from the project, click HERE.