2023 YEAR 6 FINALIST

'the arrival' 
amelia rayfield
st john the evangelist catholic primary school, campbelltown
year 6

My artwork encompasses the Journey to Bethlehem. I have used watercolours and pencils to create a soft imagery of Mary and Joseph’s arrival into Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. 

I have a personal connection to the scripture through a journey my family and I had on holidays. We arrived in our town, tired and weary just like Mary’s donkey following our long journey. The donkey is weary, and you can see this replicated in its eyes through use of line and texture. My artwork is specific about the arrival into Bethlehem rather than the final outcome of the journey. I was also inspired by my love of animals, I used watercolours and sketched first using pencils to bring an emphasis on the donkey’s features. He is also a prominent feature in this artwork and I made him central because without the donkey the journey wouldn’t have occurred. I have chosen colours based on my idea of traditional colours of the time. I have also used some silver highlights to emphasise the night sky and the stars. 

This artwork symbolises my own journey and reminds me of the joy the world experienced following their journey.

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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