2021 YEAR 6 FINALIST
'A Blessed Beginning'
Leila Van Akker, Year 6
St Joseph's Catholic Parish Primary School, Bulli

'A Blessed Beginning' is my interpretation of ‘The Annunciation’, Luke 1:26-36.

The fig tree in my artwork is Mary when she learnt that she would become a mother. Mary bears baby Jesus, while the fig tree bears fruit. The tree gives life, protects and nurtures. Mary is a young woman who carries great responsibility for the future of the world. Mary also has a pure and simple love for her baby.

In difficult times I find peace in the natural environment. Finding beauty in nature helps me feel supported and this is the connection I have made by representing Mary as a tree. Mary is hidden in the tree while at the same time she is the tree. Her branches are strong and flexible. Her roots make her stable and grounded. She stands courageously in the face of strong winds and struggles.

I used watercolour pencil and paints because I believe this shows Mary’s gentle and nurturing side. The dappled light shining through the canopy of the tree symbolises archangel Gabriel, who came to tell Mary she would be the mother of Jesus our Saviour. This truly was a blessed beginning.
 

Listen to Leila's description of her artwork below...

View more of our Christmas Story Art Exhibition 2021 artworks by clicking on our young artists' names in the teal panel. Alternatively, click through our artworks below.