2023 YEAR 5 FINALIST

'The inquisitive shepherd' 
heath kemp
st paul's catholic primary school, Camden
year 5

“Do not be afraid; I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people''. Inspired by this passage and the bush illustrations of Banjo Patterson, I imagined the lonely shepherd looking inquisitively at the gentle sky, with only the soft shimmer of a single  star hinting at something miraculous below.  

At first the shepherd is afraid. He nestles the baby sheep tightly into the crook of his elbow to protect and comfort it. But a sense of peace and calm soon reassures him that this could only be God’s doing and so he stands silently in the dark night looking towards the star. Painted in deep, rich acrylic colours, my artwork asks you to look below the fence line towards the little village in the background. There is soft light within the small stable and it is here that the new baby has been born. 

This moment reminds me of the special times I have spent as a young child with my family, gazing up at the night sky in wonder. I have sometimes felt afraid but have been comforted and reminded to trust God, just like the inquisitive shepherd would have.

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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