“Art comes from within”: PLC students paint SEATs for East Timor.

“At first, I thought I was not skilled enough to make a good painting but then I realised that art comes from within.” – Ella, Year 6 student.

When this Year 6 class from the Presbyterian Ladies’ college (PLC) in Sydney painted some SEATs to send over to a preschool in East Timor, they did not realise that it would be more than just little wooden stools they were giving away.

As they shared what they most love or enjoy about their lives in Australia, they each went on a personal journey to try and make every SEAT as special as those who would be receiving them.

Whether the SEAT speaks of finding one’s inner strength (“you can be strong like a tree”), dreaming big (“you might be on that stage too!) or the simple pleasure that comes from something beautiful (“I hope this seat makes you happy and full of joy”), they all create a sense of connection across land, seas and culture.

With each little stool making its way over to East Timor, each student gives a little bit of themselves away. Luckily, there is plenty more where that came from!

Below are some of the painted SEATs and their description in the students’ own words. The SEAT kits will be transported to pre-schools in East Timor by year 10 students later in the year.

Dear child who sits on this seat, 

The S.E.A.T Project made me think about the meaning of a piece of artwork. (…) In my eyes, music is one of the most beautiful forms of art. Therefore, I painted a floating guitar with the Australian flag on it, representing how much I love music and how much I love my country, Australia. Art is a chance to express yourself without the help of words.

From Wendy.

To Whomever is sitting on this seat, 

I hope this painting makes you happy and full of joy, 

Olivia.

 Dear child, 

Hello my name is Alannah. For the past couple of months I have put a lot of effort into painting your seat. I have painted the water and sun because I love swimming while the sun is shinning brightly in the sky. There is a beautiful colourful bird in the middle and I have made it into a reflection. I hope you enjoy the bright colors.

From Alannah

To the dear child who sits on this seat, 

Hi, my name is Ella. I am the painter of this seat. The top half of the picture is of trees in England and the bottom half is of the sunset in Australia. At first, I thought I was not skilled enough to make a good painting but then I realised that art comes from within. I really enjoyed making this seat and I hope you like it. 

From Ella.

 Dear child, 

This seat is not just wood. It shows a different life before your eyes… an experience of my life. The girl, you may notice, is me. Bright colours fill the sky and sea, reflecting that life is bright and colourful, something or someone is always there to help you through hard times. I hope you love the stool I have painted for you. It has taken time to finish, but I know I am creating it for someone special. 

From Alexandra.

Dear children of East Timor, 

My SEAT design of a tree was influenced by Australian artist, Bronwyn Bancroft (and my own imagination!). My painting includes her Aboriginal style of dots. I hope this painting can represent the fact that you can be strong like a tree.

From Jennifer.

Dear child, 

I have painted this stool for you to sit on. It reflects my life and how I love to dance. I hope you enjoy looking at it and sitting on this stool. Please enjoy your seat. 

From Alannah

To the dear child who will sit on this seat, 

This seat I am giving you features people of different skin colours. This is to show equality. Another feature is the beautiful blue ocean. This reflects the part of my that loves swimming in the sea. I hope you enjoy the artwork. I have put my world onto this stool and hopefully it gives you an idea of how my life is. It makes me smile to think about giving this to you. 

From Marie.

 Dear child, 

My name is Jasmine and I painted your seat. On it I have painted the Sydney Opera House, a marvellous building with roofs and walls shaped like giant white sails that stretch out across the Sydney Harbour. Inside famous dancers, singers, musicians and actors from across the globe perform in the glory of the spotlight. I have been inside and watching all these things are incredible. One day I hope to be on that stage, performing to the world. This is why I painted the Opera House, and if you try and work hard enough, you might be on the stage too!

From Jasmine.