'A humble Palestinian home and the event that changed the world'

Student Reflection

Can you imagine the journey of the Magi venturing into the unknown, guided by only faith and a message from God? My artwork thoughtfully captures the pilgrimage the Magi took and the humble birth of our Lord.

I used two types of raku clay in different colours to distinguish between the various figures and elements in the sculpture. These choices highlight the contrast between the physical structures and the people, adding depth and character to each figure. My grandmother taught me clay techniques and has been a great source of inspiration for this artwork.

In my research, I explored what a first-century stone house possibly looked like during Jesus’ time. My sculpture features details such as a top floor for living and a bottom floor for livestock. These elements aim to carefully represent the modest setting of Christ’s birth. It is likely that he would have been placed in a feeding trough, wrapped in dirty rags and hay for warmth. The structure would have been either a cave used for keeping animals or a simple shelter beneath a home, as depicted in my artwork.

It was important that I captured the Christmas story authentically, showing the essence of the humble setting and the significance of the Magi’s visit.