August 30, 2005 - 5:00pm
A unique mural celebrating international diversity now graces the exterior wall of Malaspina University-College’s International High School at the Nanaimo campus.
The stunning work-of-art, measuring eight feet wide by five feet high, was created in six weeks by international high school students enrolled in a summer program, under the creative direction of art teacher Lynda Faulks. The bas-relief mural depicts important symbols and structures from the students’ home countries including Thailand, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Turkey, Uganda, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
"Most of these students had never picked up a paint brush before," said Tom Lewis, Principal of Malaspina’s International High School, who hired Faulks to teach an art 11/12 course to about 20 students. "Needless to say, the students are really proud of their achievement."
Faulks taught them bas-relief, a time-honoured technique dating back to the Egyptians, Greeks, and Mesopotanians. After researching their country’s history and listening to Faulks’ lectures on composition and design, the students worked out their design sketches on paper. Faulks showed them how to roll out three-quarter inch slabs of clay, transfer their designs and use bas-relief to make their images appear in several layers.
The completed panels were fired and "antiqued" with black iron oxide, acrylic and metallic paints. Staff in Facilities Services glued the panels to a plywood sheet. Faulks and a small group of helpers grouted the panels together. The mural was finished off with a copper frame and mounted on the wall outside of Malaspina’s International High School. About 60 people attended an official unveiling on August 26.
Faulks, who retired in June after 25 years as an art teacher at Cowichan Secondary School, has worked with other students to create permanent murals for Cowichan Secondary School, the Cowichan Community Centre, the Cowichan District Hospital, the University of Victoria and most recently, the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Faulks said she really enjoyed the opportunity to work with Malaspina’s international high school students.
Murat Subasioglu, a grade 12 student from Turkey, said he learned a lot during the process. He created a scene depicting a mosque built by a famous architect in Turkish history, the clock tower in the western city of Ismir, a Trojan horse, and the symbols of a moon and stars from the Turkish flag.
Student Raymond Byansi of Uganda created an image depicting "traditional African culture from the old days" - houses made of mud and straw, and an African man looking after his cattle in the hills while his wife remained home and looked after the family.
Byansi said he was skeptical when Faulks explained that the class would create a mural out of clay in just six weeks. "I’ve never done anything like this before," he said. "I’ve learned that anything is possible."
Faulks said the secret in teaching students art is not to take ‘no’ for an answer. "My motto working with students has always been, "yes, you can do this, and here’s how."
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