ART students from St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane, have helped paint a brighter future for Surf Life Saving Queensland.
Three hundred dollars was raised for beach safety equipment at the school’s mid-year exhibition, “Between the Flags”, which ran from July 13-15 in West End’s Circle Gallery.
And, as 2007 officially celebrates the Year of the Lifesaver, the theme couldn’t have been more apt.
Head of Art Neil Kelly said many of the boys felt closely connected to our state beaches and their masterpieces creatively expressed these ties.
“One of the major works on display was a four metre long by three metre high mural done by 60 of the boys,” he said.
“It was a wonderful reinterpretation of a 1940s Australian beach painting.”
Among the exhibition’s many visitors was Surf Life Saving Queensland director and past St Laurence’s student Danny Hoyland.
Mr Hoyland said he was stunned by the depth of talent that was showcased.
“When I went to St Laurence’s 30 years ago the only arty subject was music, and even it was pretty conservative,” he said.
“Being arty and a bloke wasn’t the done thing so I was most impressed to see the school has opened its horizons.
“And the students’ art certainly showed that they knew the message – swim between the flags.”
But this wasn’t the only message portrayed in the gallery – Year 12 student Sean O’Connor had something else to say.
“I did a series of four different paintings, which interpreted the issues of poverty, drought, pollution and war to try and raise peoples awareness,” he said.
“It was a good exhibition and it made everyone feel really significant.
“Having our work all done up for others to see was great.”
