Laja (Refuge)
Sienna Nolan
St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Narellan Vale 
Year 6

The scripture Matthew 2:13-15 inspired my artwork with  Mary holding her baby, Jesus. She is being led on a donkey by her husband, Joseph, to the land of Egypt. The main colour I used is green which traditionally symbolises growth, harmony, fertility and most importantly, safety. Since I chose to base my artwork on the flight into Egypt, I depicted Mary, Jesus and Joseph seeking refuge and safety in Egypt. I chose to colour Egypt a warm and inviting soft peach colour to symbolise them being welcomed.

In ‘The ‘Flight to Egypt’  passage an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and commanded ‘Get up and take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ My mum was born in Lebanon, and in the time when she lived there, Lebanon was prone to war and became unsafe. Her family fled to France when she was just a baby, like Jesus, seeking refuge from the war and a place of safety. Just like Mary, Jesus and Joseph were seeking refuge from unsafe times. This is why I have chosen to call my artwork ‘Laja’ which is Arabic for refuge. Throughout this painting I used watercolour paint and pencils. A black felt tip pen was used to outline Egypt. I also used lighting as a technique to reflect the sun setting. Shadows were created under the donkey to show where the light is coming from.

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