KOI FISH

Part of our art curriculum involves a focus on other continents and countries within. It's always interesting to "visit" other cultures and investigate various styles of art. Our fifth grade students looked at Asian art and specifically looked at Koi fish.I like the idea of the koi because of the symbolism involved. Koi fish represent perseverance in adversity, strength of purpose, and courage.

We did a directed drawing on day one and then began color. We used chalk pastel and water to create gradations of color. Water lilies, which symbolize rebirth and optimism, and cherry blossoms were added.  The cherry trees in Washington D.C. were a gift from Japan to celebrate the friendship between the two countries.