Graffiti for Good, Paint the Change

Artwork by St Mary’s Year 10 Art Students

To coincide with the UNiTE campaign (25 November to 10 December), Year 10 Art Students have explored ways they can be active in ensuring a more equitable world for all people, particularly women.

They have created graffiti artworks which are on display in the foyer of the St Mary’s library.

In response to studies that suggest most men support gender inclusion, but sometimes struggle to see gender discrimination or harassment in their daily lives, the students learnt how to enhance their knowledge of gender issues, their situational awareness and their understanding of non-verbal clues.

They explored the notion of art-making as a voice or social commentary on things in our world that were not ‘right’. They used a creative thinking process aligned to the ‘VCE ART: Creative Practice’ subject that explored the role of art through different lenses. One lens was to consider how art is made by an artist but viewed by an audience. Another was to consider how artwork responds to the world we live in.

After studying the work of W. Brad Johans and David G. Smith, ‘Male Allyship is About Paying Attention’, the students were set the challenge of presenting their work on recycled cardboard boxes from the recent installation of large-screen televisions. The cardboard became a statement about contemporary issues related to living in a digital age: presenting the artworks on the surface of the box contributed to the overall meaning of the artwork.

Individual spray artworks were created to communicate a key message related to the theme ‘Graffiti for Good: Paint the Change’. The students had to have a clear purpose and communicate a key message on the themes ‘Situational Awareness: Attending to the Nonverbals: Notice the use of words and phrases: Pay attention to who is included and how is dismissed: Considering women’s experiences’.

If any aspects of this article, the exhibition or the images displayed are triggering for you, support is available by contacting a member of our College Wellbeing Team or 1800RESPECT.

Healthy Relationships

• Healthy relationships start with feeling respected and safe
• You have a right to respect and safety in all your relationships
• Relationship behaviour that is abusive is never OK and may be domestic and family violence or sexual violence
• If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit our website for online chat and video call services:
  • Available 24/7: Call, text or online chat
  • Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AEST (except national public holidays): Video call (no appointment needed)