2023 year 6 finalist

'the king is born' 
Emerson Eckermann
st brigid's catholic primary school, gwynneville
year 6

My artwork reflects the bible passage Matthew 1:18-25.

On reflection after reading the passage, I was instantly taken back to my family celebrating Christmas together when ‘God is with us’. Celebrating Christmas Mass in the morning and having photos with the nativity scene is a ritual for us each year.  

I created an Indigenous painting because I have a strong connection to Aboriginal art and the symbolism within the paintings speak to me. The Birth of Jesus reminds me that Jesus was The Voice who called us to engage with all people in a spirit of justice and reconciliation and with a respect for cultural diversity.

In my artwork, Jesus is laying in a coolamon, similar to the way our Indigenous people carried their babies. A brilliant star shines above Mary and Joseph as they sit together with the baby Jesus in their arms, in awe, just as my parents did when they welcomed my brother and I into the world. I chose a base of wood as a symbol of strength and endurance. I sketched ideas, then transferred them onto the wood. I used the dot painting technique as a means of connecting my spiritual painting to “country”.

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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