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- Jade Levingstone
Vessels to escape looking at emotional confinement based on the works of Jackson Shaner through 3D construction (clay
This unit of learning for 2nd Year Junior Cycle Visual Art explores the theme of emotional confinement and escape through the creation of a 3D ceramic vessel, inspired mainly by the work of Jackson Shaner. Students research artists, sketchbook ideas, and investigate how form, texture, distortion, cracks, and human features can symbolise feelings such as anxiety, frustration, hope, and resilience. Over several weeks, they move from visual research and observational drawing to thumbnail sketches, design development, maquettes, and finally a hand-built clay vessel using coiling and attachment techniques. Throughout the project, students engage in peer critique, annotation, reflection, and presentation, and build skills across the stages of visual art.
Recycling & Sustainability – Responsible local Consumption and Production through 3D construction
This unit of learning centres on transforming discarded or locally sourced materials into imaginative, wearable hat designs that reflect sustainability and community identity. Students engage in observational research, sketchbook development, and material experimentation, exploring how everyday waste can be reshaped into meaningful fashion pieces. Influenced by designers such as Iris van Herpen, they investigate how contemporary art and fashion communicate environmental messages. The unit culminates in a final wearable artwork, supported by documented process work, that demonstrates creativity, craftsmanship, and an awareness of sustainable practices and local context.
Transforming the ordinary into the uncanny Tim Burton style character design
This unit of learning explores the transformation of ordinary school objects into eerie, imaginative characters inspired by Tim Burton. Through close observation, drawing, and experimentation in their sketchbooks, students develop ideas that exaggerate form, tone, and personality, creating a sense of the uncanny. They research relevant artists and styles, using these influences to inform their own creative decisions. The outcome is a resolved 2D character design sheet that communicates narrative, emotion, and symbolism, showcasing the student’s ability to turn the familiar into something expressive and visually engaging.