I HAD had the pleasure of being the invited guest speaker at the recent Redbank Plains State High School Art Exhibition and Awards presentation.
I felt honoured to be part of this night as I have always been an advocate for giving young people the opportunity to create art.
My art career stated in high school and what I learnt at school always stayed with me.
For most of us art is just a pretty picture on the wall and our children’s art proudly displayed on the refrigerator.
It’s been proven that creating art strengthens both critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in young students.
The process of creating art provides opportunities for students to make choices and decisions creating their art, this is a crucial skill that will translate into other parts of life as they grow.
Students who are exposed to art get to see a greater variety of culture and the diversity in our community.
Art can help a student embrace the differences we see in our diverse community and create acceptance and inclusiveness.
Something that has never been more important in our lives today.
This is why art classes are so necessary in our schools and wonderful to see that Redbank Plains State High School also see the importance of art.
It is clear by the wonderful display of artwork that the students had explored their community and environment and translated this into beautiful works of art.
As parents and teachers of the Redbank Plains State High School you must be feeling proud of the students and their achievements.
New Artworks by Tallman
Robin ‘Tallman’ Wakkajinda is a descendent of the Wakka Wakka tribe in the South Burnett, he was born and lives in Ipswich.
Well known around town, Tallman has been busy giving back to the community with his artwork on bus stop seats in Bell St, Ipswich as part of the ‘Living Breathing Gallery’.
Weeks of work has been put in to the art on more than 20 seats.
His latest exhibition will feature 18 brand new artworks on canvas and other media, painstakingly painted by hand during 2023.
This exhibition has been inspired from Tallman’s time as the principal artist for the Living Breathing Gallery in Bell Street.
This project has a special place in Ipswich’s heart as it showcased how art can bring people together.
The exhibition will be running for four days only from November 9-12 at the Ipswich Community Gallery in Darcy Doyle Place, Ipswich.
