Pupils’ artistic talents showcased
HOUGHTON - King Edward VII School's art pupils had the opportunity to put their talents on display at the school's annual art exhibition.
A total of 180 works of art created by 100 pupils were exhibited, among them works by the school’s best artist Tristan Brown and by Daniel Critchfield, who won the prize for best body of work.
The school’s head of art, Susan Neethling, said she was very happy with the exhibition.
“I was so happy with the standard of work, and the exhibition was very well attended by pupils, parents and friends,” she said.
Masks were a theme that ran through Brown’s works; a theme that evoked ideas of protection, vulnerability and deception.
“Imagine a world where everyone was given their own mask when they were born. This mask is with you wherever you go. You throw on your laughing mask when someone tells a joke. You slip on your concerned mask when a friend complains about a break-up and you are expected to be sympathetic,” he said.
“When you speak with your friend, you realise that he is probably too concerned with his own issues to care about yours. He is wearing his own mask.”
Brown added that, while we do not disguise ourselves with actual masks, we tend to hide behind our actions, opting to project “socially acceptable facades” instead. In his opinion, such a choice is emotionally crippling.
Critchfield’s body of work, a series of paintings of human mouths or details thereof, explored ideas of self-expression, truth and silence.
“Never hesitate to express your point of view on anything, no matter what. I’m never fearful about sharing anything with anybody in any place,” he said.
“Lovers of truth are not afraid of the consequences of truthful expressions.”
Critchfield added that keeping silent when one ought to speak up could be destructive.
“Your words dry up. Your mouth becomes obsolete. On occasion, repressed words will find their own way out, like blood pushing up the throat and flowing out of the mouth.”
Details: www.kingedwardschool.co.za
