By Georgia Hatfield, Year 10, Tully State High School
A GROUP of Year 10 students and their teacher, Mrs Martin, worked together to create an art piece which addressed mental health.
Initially the tree was to be made in an environmental context, but the completion of the tree came at the same time as Mental Health Week, so it seemed fitting to make the tree a symbol of how a people should view themselves.
The tree itself is a collection of dried branches painted blue – a calming and bold colour.
We covered some branches using recycled book pages, which looks visually interesting and also adds another layer of meaning to the entire artwork.
Books provide information and knowledge, and therefore using book pages symbolises what we have learnt about mental health.
Finally paper roses were made and dipped in two different coloured inks: blue and orange.
The colour choices were deliberate, as they complement each other.
The class moved the tree throughout the school into both natural and industrial landscapes.
At the base of the tree was a plaque that listed the qualities (found in a tree) that are vital for our own happiness. Advice from a tree: stand tall and proud, go out on a limb, remember your roots, drink plenty of water, be content with your natural beauty, and enjoy the view. This advice can be implemented in our lives to make us happier and healthier individuals.