2023 YEAR 6 FINALIST

'in the arms of mary' 
zoe reeves
st justin's catholic parish primary school, oran park
year 6

The scripture I have chosen for my artwork is the ‘Birth of Christ’ (Matthew 1: 18-25). My artwork is heavily inspired by artist Georgia O’Keeffe who painted nature using a dramatic colour palette and simplified shapes. 

I was also inspired by other images of Mary and Jesus including the artwork “A Son is Given” by Howard Lyon. The artwork “Our Lady of the Roses” inspired me by seeing a beautiful gold frame with bright and colourful flowers. My artwork is the moment Mary becomes a Mother to a newborn son. It shows the instant love and connection Mary had for Jesus, and focuses on that moment of new life. 

The use of abstract and realistic roses around Mary and baby Jesus in my artwork is to symbolise the joy of new life and the celebration of the birth. I have also painted Mary wearing a crown of white roses as they represent purity and joy and are a symbol of Mother Mary. The quote ‘She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus’ connects me to the moment my parents found out they were having me and the instant love they felt for each other. This scripture helps me grow and connect with God by understanding the immense love between a mother and child.

View more of our Christmas Story Art Exhibition 2023 artworks by clicking on our young artists' names in the teal panel. Alternatively, click through our artworks below.

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