‘My teaching and learning philosophy is grounded in collaboration, and informed by my image of the child as curious, capable and perceptive.’
NB: the art work on this page was created individually or collaboratively by children aged 4 to 12 years old.
'Felted Teepee' 2007 Radford College Junior School Collaborative project with Prekindergarten and Kindergarten, and their parents and carers. All the felt was handmade by the children and was based on their drawings. Project concept and collaborator: Brenda Lander. Teepee structure: Steve Lander. 220 x 150 cm approx.
'Automatic Drawings' Year 5 collaborations 2024, Radford College Junior School. Left to right: Midnight, Daydream, First Light, Splash! and Nature Meditation. Children collaborated together to create 5 x 25 panel-piece abstract drawings related to predetermined titles. Chalk pastel on A3 paper 250 x 250 approx. each.
'Blue Landscape' Year 5 collaboration, Radford College Junior School 2025. Elements of this large painting were created 'en plein air' at Lake Burley Griffin during our annual Boat Shed Day. The children cut and collaged their paintings back in the art studio to create this large scroll. Blue ink on paper, 50 x 500 cm approx.
Snake Sculpture, Radford College Junior School 2006.Prekindergarten collaboration where the children investigated the lifecycle of a snake, as part of their unit of inquiry. Fired terracotta, 55 x 65 cm approx.
Outdoor painting, Year 5 Radford College Junior School 2022. This unit had a colour mixing focus and students worked to replicate the soft greys, greens and browns that are typical of the eastern Australian landscape.
Observational Drawing, Year 4 student, Radford College Junior School 2018. This work was part of a unit investigating perspective techniques. Ink pen on A4 cartridge paper.
Various hand building and sgraffito (in collaboration with senior school art teacher Dimity Kidston) projects from Year 4 and the Art and Design Co-curricular club, Radford College Junior School 2017.
Collaborative charcoal drawing, Year 3 cohort (96 students), Radford College Junior School 2018. This large work explored the central idea: 'Organisations are Built on Effective Communication', where students communicated collaboratively across classes to create a large composition in charcoal.
Observational Ink Painting (using silent practice) Year 5, Radford College Junior School 2024. Ink and A3 paper. Part of the unit of Inquiry, 'Art is a Balance of Skill and Imagination'.
Chinese landscape traditions -Year 1, Radford College Junior School 2015. Stepping into the Landscape unit of inquiry investigating brush types, technique and tonal application for effect. Various student work on A4 cartridge.
Performance prop construction, Year 2, Radford College Junior School 2010. Unit of Inquiry: 'Stories are a Window into Our Own and Other's Imagination and Culture' Cane and paper construction, various sizes.
Islamic Art Investigation, Year 3, Radford College Junior School 2015. Children replicated the features of non-representational religious art as part of the unit: How We Express Ourselves. Pencil on A4 paper.
Magical Bird, Kindergarten, Radford College Junior School 2007. Public art collaboration with music teacher Brenda Lander, based on musical and drama explorations of flight. Assisted by Steve Lander and the college maintenance team. Mosaic on marine board 150 x 150 cm
'What Lives in the Leaf Litter?', Kindergarten, Radford College Junior School 2008. Detail (individual children's sculptures). These works formed part of a larger outdoor sculpture. Concrete and glazed terracotta, finished sculpture 200 x 60 cm approx.
PYP Unit of Inquiry: 'Science Invites People to Notice, Question and Learn about the World', Kindergarten, Radford College Junior School 2019. Students researched features of insects through drawing and sculpture models of caterpillars, spiders, butterflies and bees. Pen, paper construction, wool and found materials, various sizes.
Ntange Dreaming Investigation Year 2, Radford College Junior School 2018. Using this iconic painting for inspiration, students explored the concept of growth in the springtime. A4 paper and acrylic paint.
Collaborative Artist Book (detail), Year 4, Radford College Junior School 2016 Entitled: 'Why is Recognising and Understanding Indigenous Culture Important for all Australians?' This book won the Thoughts and Dreams Myall Creek Memorial Prize in the primary age category 2016. Printed A4 book.
Mood Self Portraits, Year 4, Radford College Junior School 2010. Coloured pencils on A4 paper.
Motif and Pattern Investigation, Year 3, Radford College Junior School 2016. Inspired by the print house 'Liberty of London' and traditional Indian block printing techniques, student investigated the relationship between motif and pattern in the garment and cloth industry.
Observational Drawing Silent Practice, Year 4, Radford College Junior School 2018. Drawing a figure sculpture from the Ivory Coast. This was just one activity from the art unit: Art Carousel, a series of rotations exploring forms and materials such as ink, pencil and oil pastel.
'PYP Learner Profile' Tile Project, Year 4, Radford College Junior School 2010. Year 4 created individual ceramic tiles based on their favourite profile. Fired terracotta, each tile approx. 12 x 12 cm
Lego observational sculptures, Year 2, Radford College Junior School 2010. Part of a series of inquiries into the element of organic and geometric forms.
Weaving with Upcycled Cloth, Art and Design co-curricular club Years 3-6, Radford College Junior School 2017
Response to Emily Kame Kngwarreye's Big Yam Dreaming, Year 4, Radford College Junior School 2019. Researching personal stories and places using Big Yam Dreaming as a provocation. Black paper and paint. 150 x 100 cm approx.
Tonal Inquiry Years 1-4, Radford College Junior School 2015. Perspective and tone simply taught using accessible techniques and ink and charcoal.