Young artists get creative with grey matter

"What does my brain look like?" asked one of Rei Hendry's young students.

The question inspired a fun workshop at Whanganui's Art House where Mrs Hendry teaches after-school and holiday programme classes.

Using papier mache and working with a wealth of recycled materials, the children created brain interpretations as varied as their personalities and they all had good explanations for their choices.

"Mine is about family, fun and what I want to do with my future," said Alicia Laird.

Joel Matthews' creation had faces wearing different expressions to represent his emotions and a lightning bolt representing his good ideas.

Lachlan Udy's brain creation included bright coloured flowers and butterflies as well as a sock.

"I'm not sure why I put the sock in there."

When asked if it perhaps represented the socks he has lost, he agreed that may be the case.

Emily Paterson (left) and Emily Robertson with their sculptures at the Art House holiday programme on Monday. Photo by Bevan Conley.

Hazel Paterson's model had a "giraffe at the front with the brain [constructed from plastic mesh] at the back".

"I'm not sure why but I like giraffes," she said.

Older sister Emily Paterson created her brain sculpture with "lots of colour and imagination" to represent her enjoyment of making art.

Emily's work, constructed from coloured paper, cardboard and bubble wrap looked like a vibrant tropical flower.

Catie McGregor said her sculpture represented "imagination, fun and a love of riding motorbikes" while Amilia Kirk said her birds nest with lots of little birds and fruit represented her busy imagination.

Emily Robertson's sculpture looked like a bright, exploding firework representing, she said, all the good ideas bursting out.

Mrs Hendry teaches art at James Cook School in Marton, creates her own art as a member of Wanganui Arts Society as well as teaching at the Art House in London St.

"I convinced my husband who runs Image Signs next door to let us use this building for art."

Mrs Hendry says some of her young artists are the children of previous students and one girl's grandmother lived in the building when it was her family home.

"She loved seeing the place full of children's art," said Mrs Hendry.

Although the Art House after-school classes are full and the holiday programmes are always popular, Mrs Hendry says places for new, young artists do come up occasionally.