Art History Expedition

Last week the Form V and VI visted the National Museum and Newgrange as part of their History of Art studies. Tyrone Langham from Form V has written the following review;

We were then shown some stone and amber beads and ritual jewellery that were incredibly well crafted. One that particularly stood out to me was the head of a hammer that was made from a rare flint that ranged in colour form orange to grey. It was so smooth that our tour guide said it would have taken at least sixty years to rub and polish by hand to make it what it is today. She also said that the average life expectancy was only around forty years so it would have been handed down generations and used in all kinds of rituals and sacrifices to their pagan gods.

Restoration of Harry Clarke Windows At St. Mel's Cathedral

In today's Irish Times there is an article which reminds us of the fine stained glass on view in Churches across the country. Arminta Wallace writes ' Over the past quarter of a century the name of Harry Clarke has become synonymous with stained glass in Ireland. But many of the windows we know as “Harry Clarkes” are actually the work of his younger colleagues at Harry Clarke Studios, among them the windows at St Mel’s in Longford, designed by Richard King'. Read the full article HERE.

Here at the college we have our own fine collection of stained glass in the Chapel. Also on display in the college is a piece by Evie Hone who would have been a contemporary of the designer Richard King.

The room dedicated to Stained Glass at the Hugh Lane Gallery also includes the  The Eve of St Agnes by Harry Clarke which was recently visited by a younger member of the greater college community (as seen below).

Batik by Form II.

Form II have begun work on designing and completing a batik. Working from a chosen theme pupils were required to complete a design suitable for the craft of Batik. The designs must be coloured before the application of wax to the fabric. This will ensure that the correct steps are taken to realise their proposed design.  Posted below are some examples of pupil work  at different stages of the entire Batik process from the design stage right through to the application of wax and dye to the fabric. Batik can be a slow process as it is necessary for the fabric to completely dry out inbetween the application of each colour. Completed Batiks will be posted in the coming weeks. 

Design on Paper by Samual Clarke

Design on Paper with a preliminary sketch on fabric by Marina Pollock

Sophie Lamotte applies wax to fabric to reval her drawing, all the while paying close attention to her initial design

Edward Tottenham's Batik with its first application of wax and dye

Our Ancient Past

Today Form V and Form VI artists will visit the National Museum in Dublin and Newgrange in Co. Meath. There are a number of online resources which pupils can look at to reinforce the experiences from their trip. Suggested sites include the official website for Newgrange, shee-eire, Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art, and the Knowth website.  The unique site at Newgrange and its neighbouring Knowth and Dowth  has proven to be a continuous source of inspiration for Historians and Artists alike. Indeed many of the motifs found at these sites have been incorporated into numerous objets d'art that have come to constitute part of our national identity. 

Junior Certificate Art Projects

Joon Hee Kim

Ludo Stewart

Leonie Unkiel

Junior Certificate Art Projects

Junior Certificate Projects are well underway but there is still much work to be done. This Hilary Term is longer than usual on account of Easter being so late so it is really inportant that the projects are completed in good time. As in years past there will be no time in the final term for tying up loose ends on the projects. Posted below, and again tomorrow are examples of on-going project work.

Molly Dunne

Sadhbh Sheeran

Louisa Gibbs

Art Club

Tonight was the first Saturday evening of activities this term. The Art Room was a hive of activity with Form III pupils working on their Junior Cert projects while some members of Form  Primary experimented with paint.

Posted below are two paintings by members of Form Primary.

Portrait of a Girl by Penny Nash

On the Golf Course  by Petra Duran Basso.

Irish Landscape Photographer

Today's Irish Times takes time to examine Irish landscape photographer Enda Cavanagh's new book, Exploring the Irish Landscape. 

'His book is a fine summary of his landscape work to date. A welcome addition to its genre, one of its many virtues is that it’s responsive to the breathtaking beauty of the Irish landscape, while also viewing it coolly, documenting the complexity of the country rather than reinforcing old stereotypes.'

The full article can be read HERE.

Science and Art

The results of  last year's Frog Blog Science Week Art Competition have been announced! Congratulations to  Rachel Rogers in Form IV. Rachel was awarded first prize for her excellent painting of a Golden Eagle.

Texaco Children's Art Competition

A new year and a new term has now begun here at St. Columba's College. It is also time once again for pupils to begin thinking about the Texaco Children's Art Competition. Samuel Clarke, now in Form II, had great success last year and was awarded with a special merit for his painting of a 'Wild Donegal Strand'.

 Click HERE for details on how to prepare your entry. Closing date is Friday 25th of February.