From the Louvre to Ningaloo – Inspiring Young Artists at Santa Maria College
For the past two weeks, the Mercy Gallery has been buzzing with bright colour, big ideas and a deep love for the ocean.
We have been delighted to host artist Ian Daniell as our 2026 Artist in Residence. Known for his striking life-size ocean art, Ian brings not only extraordinary creative talent but also a passion for marine conservation, curiosity and joy in the creative process.
From childhood visits to the Louvre with his mother to working alongside world renowned artists such as Anish Kapoor, Ian’s journey has been shaped by imagination, bold sculptural works and a love of discovery. Now based in Western Australia, his practice celebrates marine life at one to one scale, using bright block colours and distilled forms to capture the beauty of the ocean.
And for the last two weeks, he has been sharing that passion with our students.
A Love of Art That Started Early
Ian’s love of art began at home. His mother was a French teacher and talented painter, and family holidays in France often included visits to iconic galleries and gardens. Growing up in the North East of England during a booming period for British art, Ian was inspired by monumental public sculptures and vibrant contemporary exhibitions.
Those early experiences sparked a lifelong fascination with creativity. Today, his work focuses on Life Size Ocean Art, celebrating marine creatures encountered through freediving, snorkelling and whale watching. Acrylic paint is his favourite medium, though he also enjoys printmaking and working with clay.
Inspiring Joy and Curiosity
Ian is most excited about inspiring joy, curiosity and enthusiasm for his two favourite subjects, art and the ocean.
Working with our students from Years 5 to 12, he has been guiding them with painting techniques, exploring colour choices and encouraging them to think boldly. He has enjoyed hearing their ideas and stories. For those considering a future in the arts, he has been more than happy to share advice about creative pathways.
In the classroom, students have experimented with drawing, painting, sculpting and cut out techniques. They explored bright colours and created striking imagery inspired by the natural world. In between workshops, Ian has also been painting new works in the Mercy Gallery, giving students a chance to see his creative process up close.
Art With Purpose
Ian’s work is deeply connected to ocean conservation. Many of the creatures he paints represent species in need of protection.
During his residency, students explored lesser known marine species and even learnt about krill, tiny creatures with a big impact on our ocean ecosystems. Through art, they are discovering how creativity can also be a form of advocacy and stewardship.
Opening Eyes and Minds
Ian shared his hope that students will discover new ways of working that they genuinely enjoy, whether that is experimenting with shape making or exploring bold colour combinations.
Above all, he believes art should be fun. He hopes students will stay curious, try new things and see the many possibilities that exist within both art and the ocean.
When his time at Santa Maria concludes, Ian hopes students will feel encouraged to pursue their passions, visit exhibitions and stay engaged with the creative world. He warmly invites our community to visit his pop up studio and gallery opening on South Terrace in Fremantle in late February, as well as his upcoming solo exhibition at Linton and Kay Gallery in Cottesloe in May.
Perhaps most importantly, Ian hopes the next time our students head to the beach, they might look at the ocean a little differently. Maybe they will even try snorkelling.
Because sometimes all it takes is two weeks, a splash of colour and a curious mind to open up a whole new world.
- Artist In Residence, Creative Learning, Featured, Girls' Education Perth, Ian Daniell Artist, Life Size Ocean Art, Marine Conservation Education, Mercy Values In Action, Santa Maria College Perth, Visual Arts Program
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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