JourneyOnline
THIRTEEN ARTWORKS by young people aged between five and 17 years old have been chosen to feature in the 2012
Synod calendar.
Throughout 2012, the calendar aims to encourage the whole of the Uniting Church in Queensland to reflect on what it means to belong as part of the Together on the way, enriching community panel of expert judges was formed to choose the artworks to be shown in the calendar, with the panel itself demonstrating the theme “Belonging, together as Church”.
Moderator, Rev Kaye Ronalds, was joined by Tony Anderton, Coordinator of Wesley Mission Brisbane’s Art from the Margins, and Maureen Hansen, Curator and Healing Arts Coordinator at The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane.
Ms Ronalds commented on the joy of viewing all the artworks, saying that the young people had given expression to what it means to “belong, together as Church”.
“Each entrant has a different angle on the competition theme,” said Ms Ronalds.
“Some are saying that the church is about people coming together.
Others are about the church being outward looking, in particular focusing on the environment.
And some have taken a more symbolic approach to the theme.
“Their creativity reminds me that human beings reflect God’s creativity.”
Fellow judge, Mr Anderton, said artistic expression gives voice to the basic need to communicate.
“It puts into images a person’s reflection on the world that might not otherwise be spoken about,” said Mr Anderton.
“There are some excellent scenes of groups and communities coming together, with a lot of thought put into the structure
and composition, with both the words and images used.”
Artist, Maureen Hansen, was inspired by the vitality and freshness of the works.
“Being introduced to the way children think about Church is enlightening and livening,” said Ms Hansen.
“Some of the ideas in particular are quite mature.
“There’s great originality and expression in these works that can often be lost in adults’ work.”
Winning entrant, Finn Jewell (age 11) said that belonging to the Uniting Church was about being connected.
“I enjoy playing games and learning at Discipleship [Sunday School] and being with friends at Girls’ Brigade,” said Ms Jewell.
Gillian Watson (age 11) said church was about being with God and community.
“My artwork is about the environment and people and community being connected as God’s creations,” said Ms Watson.
The Queensland Synod will donate $100 to the chosen charity of each of the winning entrants.
Winning entrants were Amelie Toop, Andie Lang, Finlay Niemi, Finn Jewell, Gillian Watson, Isabella Lamb, Kiara Taylor, Kimberley and Taylor Randall, Krystal George, Lillian MacGregor, Sarah Hancox, Shania Dekkers, Tahlia Hanson, and Xavier Dekkers.
View all the entries at the http://journeyonline.com.au/mm_photoGallery.php photo gallery.
The calendar can be ordered for only $2 each.
Order by the end of November at http://ucaqld.com.au/about-us/about-the-uniting-church-in-queensland/together-on-the-way-enriching-community/
Photo : Finn Jewell and Gillian Watson with their artworks which will feature in the 2012 Synod calendar. Photo by Holly Jewell
