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Youngsters show off creative side

May 12 - 18, 2010
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The first International Baccalaureate (IB) students at St Christopher's School staged a visual arts exhibition entitled MMX to showcase their creative prowess.

The pioneering teenagers are among the first group of IB students to graduate from the school which introduced the pre-university courses alongside the traditional A'levels option only two years ago.

The school hall at the senior school in Isa Town was transformed into an art gallery to host the event.

The exhibits, some disturbing and others soothing, had been created over a period of 18-months.

They included paintings, relief works, sculptures, installations and photographs by seven students who delved deep into thought-provoking subjects ranging from racism, animal poaching, faith, economic and social inequality and changing value systems in a modern world.

Examining the subject of 'Me, myself and I', Malaysian Aizat Sultan chose to represent his faith, Islam, as the tranquil element in an increasingly chaotic world. Using reliefs, printmaking, multimedia, acrylic and water colours on canvas he used places of worship, Makkah and Saar mosque; Hibiscus, his country's national flower and architectural elements of different buildings including the Petronas Towers to display elements of his religion.

Aizat, 17, said: "The theme helped us to explore things that are relevant to us. We have gone beyond scratching the surface and have done rigorous research that has allowed us to explore more. We also looked at different artists and have been inspired by them."

Musician Rhea Lobo, from India, gave expression to her passion on very imaginatively created pieces using various mediums including ink, paint, MDF wood and canvas.

She also let loose her anxiety over the rampant cruelty of animals through gruesome looking sculptures that cannot fail to drive the message home.

Manali Kulkarni used large scale paintings that focused on facial expressions to define her world of friends. She then explored her native India through the changing perception on traditional values and went on to study the subject of poverty.

Describing a piece called 'Aishwarya exposed', Manali, 18, focused on a famous India actress who is regarded as one of the most glamorous and beautiful women in the world.

She said: "The change in India provides great material for artists. I am just using art to question whether women can be portrayed in a revealing manner. Is it OK for an actress to flaunt herself in a movie in a conservative society?"

Among other pieces were Larissa Weinmann's depiction of movement and Franchesca Butler's pieces on the perceptions and misconceptions of the roles occupied by women in society. The exhibition also featured the works of Holly Carberry and Maon Puls. Many of the students involved hope to develop their talents further and work in the world of fine arts.







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