Sunday 30 June 2013

Cups of Kindness


Cups of Kindness




Ballantynes Tea rooms Tuesday July 2nd until Sunday 28th July 2013
If you are viewing our blog for the first time as a result of visiting this art exhibition, "welcome".




This work has been produced by year 8 pupils from Heaton Normal Intermediate School. The title of the exhibition, Cups of Kindness’ has several meaning.
In times of trouble or sadness,  happiness or celebration we may offer a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate to sooth, to show love or to build bonds of friendship. An act of kindness that has been much used in Christchurch over the last couple of years. Many stories have been shared  and words of comfort expressed. 
Every year the students at Heaton study the stories behind tea, coffee and chocolate as part of their inquiry topic ‘Fair Trade and Globalisation’. They listen to, and share, the stories behind these products; the sadness  and pain caused by unfair trading systems, and the hope, dignity and happiness of systems that considers the health and welfare of the producers. 
All these paintings have been painted on coffee sacks with real coffee watercolour or cocoa oil paint.
Some of these images were then translated into clay bas reliefs. Coffee beans and Trade Aid stamps were used to create textures.
What is the story behind your cup of kindness?

For more information, and to see other images, please scroll down to the Friday 12th April post for World Fair Trade Day and our exhibition at Trade Aid Merivale.


Thursday 20 June 2013




Life is looking pretty grim if you are a woman in Egypt at the moment. A consequence of the crack down on freedom of speech has been a proliferation of Street Art that has become the voice of the women and their supporters. Click on the images above to go to the Amnesty International site and see how you can be involved in this year's Freedom Challenge 5-12th August.
Heaton Students come and see me if you are interested in workshopping some ideas for this.


Monday 10 June 2013

Pure beauty. You have to to see this.


Miyoko-Shida-Rigolo.
Breathtaking
Click on the image to see the film.

Sunday 9 June 2013

Junk Culture


Just came across this web site today. Some really interesting pieces. Lots of thinking outside the box. 
I particularly liked the artist, Yolanda Dominguez,  response to the tragedy in the garment factory in Bangladesh.
Click on the picture to find out more and let me know what you think.