Tapa-style art wins competition
She may be shy but her bold colour choices have turned a 7-year-old into a prizewinning artist.
Oranga Primary School student Foa Oto’Ota won the year 3 category in the New Zealand Educational Institute’s poster competition I Love Learning.
Students nationwide uploaded more than 2000 artworks to the competition website.
They were judged in 10 categories.
Judge Gretchen Buwalda says she was drawn to Foa’s tapa-inspired piece because of the ‘‘strong, clean colours’’.
‘‘The layout has impact and has been put together with care. I feel from seeing this artwork that Foa must love learning.’’
The mixed-media collage was made over several sessions during the school’s Creative Fridays.
‘‘I like drawing and colouring,’’ Foa says. ‘‘It’s one of my favourite things to do.’’
She won two iPad 2s, one for the school and one for herself.
Foa says her iPad will be used for ‘‘playing games like Sight Words and Maths Bingo’’ and shared with her siblings.
Teacher Mitra Senthi says Foa is a patient and focused worker who is a worthy winner.
‘‘She adds a lot of detail into her work and that’s what makes it special.’’
The competition is organised by the New Zealand Educational Institute to recognise the creativity of New Zealand school children, spokeswoman Shelley Nixon says.
‘‘Primary schools are bursting with talent and vitality, and we wanted to celebrate pupils’ outstanding artwork.’’