As a part of looking at the culture of India and the presence of religious symbols in everyday life, the Year 7 students investigated literature on the various creation stories about Ganesh, stylised and colourful posters and cards, and looked at images of statues, shrines and bas relief carvings.
We also looked carefully at the characteristics of an Indian elephant.
We then had to carefully consider how to "humanise" his facial features to correctly represent his godlike form. All this information came together in our first sketch drawings.

Joanna	Brooke Embroidery using chain stitch  to outline the features.	Katie

Great fun was had by all when we "dressed" our final Ganesh drawings with glorious glittery collage befitting a well fed and greatly honoured Lord of New Beginnings.

Eleisha	Ella	Nina

Rachael	Alice

We could choose to create our 3D model or wall plaque using 2 hollow spheres or a draped form as the base. We worked on them for five weeks and had to wrap them in damp cloths and plastic at the end of each session so they did not dry out.

Ella	Alice	Eleisha

Joel	Nenad	Darren
Ines	Katie	Pablo

They all survived the firing intact with only a few bits knocked during transport and being exhibited at the Access Asia Layang Layang Cluster Exhibition, Art Blast and of course our school's Beacon Foyer Gallery. At last we can take them home and set them up. We learned so much about Ganesh, Asian Elephants and working with clay during the project.