Art from students’ hearts

Whether paint, pencil or photos of a mirror vinyl figure called ‘Cassandra’, the artistic thoughts and feelings of Marlborough Girls’ College students are on display.

The MGC Student Art Showcase, displaying the wide range of creations from Year 11, 12 and 13 under the tutelage of Claire van der Watt, now graces the walls of Framingham’s Underground venue.

With the brief of ‘anything goes, go nuts’ from the Framingham staff, more than 20 budding student artists have their work available for the public to admire and possibly purchase in the unique underground setting.

“I’ve seen such great variety from this year – photography in both colour and black and white, printmaking, acrylic and oil painting”, says Claire.

“It’s a diverse range of topics and mediums that has been chosen by the girls, and they’ve made art their own experience.

“I wanted to photograph the pounamu, gifted to me by my parents and representing my Scottish and Māori heritage, but wasn’t initially sure where I wanted to place it until I walked along the Omaka near where I live and found where it just felt right to rest it – a search for belonging”, commented Isabella Baldwin.

“I found beauty in macrophotography - looking really close to find it – especially looking in the Whites Bay rock pools which while it’s popular to visit, there’s an entire beautiful ecosystem feeding into itself”, said Grace Boyd.

“Painting brought three different styles of me – Picasso, modern and renaissance – all together in one” said Cushla Cook

“My model and I brought dance to somewhere it’s not usually seen, so we decided that the top of the car park looking over the ASB Theatre – a place where dance is usually seen – and it’s brutal surrounds allowed me to play with light, lines and shape”. Jess Sinclair

“Cassandra is a mirror vinyl cardboard cutout, and she gave new life to photos, light and the Pelorus Bridge surrounds while also being literally reflective – she is a representation of memory always being in the background and I love her very much”, said Emily Harper.

“My paintings are a journey of kapa haka, from the pink bright excitement of the kids taking to their first performance, the tiki representing the reason for tau haka honouring our ancestors, and the bright blue power of a champion performance”, commented Cleo Collins.

And while the girls are pleased to have their offerings on display, their host venue is equally as pleased.

“It's so cool to provide a showcase for such incredible emerging artists, and so special for us to be part of their art journey being potentially a launching pad for some fabulous artists having the work for sale for visitors”, says Framingham’s Catherine Bygate.

“I pitched it to the Girls’ College with no rules, no regulations, no cost - just a space to show beautiful art from students on the walls.

“Hosting this exhibition is inviting people that possibly haven't been to our Underground before, because we pride ourselves unique surrounds with the wow experience of the garden, then the cellar door, and a new, different feel again in the Underground.

“Honestly, my boss Tom and I expecting it to be simpler than what has evolved in front of us, but that’s because Claire and her students have simply outdone themselves”.