STUDENTS from Kogarah High School have converted an MP's electoral office into an art gallery.
More than 20 works, produced by students from years 7 and 9, are on display in the office of Kogarah MP Chris Minns.
"The office was looking pretty drab and tired, so I asked the school's art department for help," Mr Minns said.
"We took down the old football jersey and political memorabilia [from Cherie Burton's time as the MP] and put up the student art.
"The office looks fantastic."
Mr Minns said about 50 constituents visited the office each week.
"I have also told the students their parents are very welcome to come in and view them," he said.
Mr Minns said the artworks would be changed every 12 months.
Principal Virginia Pacey said students felt "a sense of pride" when they saw their works on display.
DOTS, BATS AND SKULLS
Head Teacher, creative and performing arts, Leah McKeown, said the works fell into three groups:
- Aboriginal Paintings: Year 7 students used traditional technique (dot painting) mixed with very contemporary colours and themes to provide a ‘‘bird’s-eye view’’ of their daily journey to school.
- Bats: Based on the artwork by Lin Onus, students constructed the bats out of paper mache and decorated them in paint using both traditional patterns and colours.
- Skulls: Artworks by the 2D Studies elective group were made from timber and decorated using acrylic paint. They were based on the Mexican celebration, Day of the Dead, where a sad occasion becomes a celebration of a person’s life, rather than the mourning of their passing.
