Our talented Year 9 Sculpture class at Whakatane High School have been super busy in class designing and building taniwha masks for the Light Up Whakatane Light Festival.

The students began their creative journey by looking at traditional depictions of taniwha across Aotearoa - on old stamps, drawings, paintings, and murals - learning about their described features. Inspired by these images and stories, each student designed their own unique taniwha and began constructing the physical structure, building up the flesh and skin using cardboard and masking tape.

Everyday materials like tin foil, bubble wrap, paper plates, straws, and wooden cutlery added intricate details. Finally, the masks were coated in vibrant fluro paint so they would shine bright under the festival's UV lights. Make sure to head down with the whānau to check out their amazing hard work and support our young artists!