A local learner from Paarl was among other high school learners from across South Africa who have won accolades for depicting the link between mathematics and art in unique and vibrant artworks.
In the first nationally-run mathematical art competition, Hano Nieuwoudt of Paarl Gimnasium, in his “Ngesivinni”, showed the link between the speed of a cheetah and the fighter aircraft jet. He was named one of the top three winners in the Grade 8 to 9 “maths in manmade designs” category.
The first winner, Caitlin Wilde, is from Fish Hoek High School, near Cape Town, for her “Heritage Mandala”, inspired by traditional Zulu patterns, followed by second prize winner, Kiara Knopfmachter from Redhill High In Johannesburg for the ballet-inspired “Geometrics of Dancing”.
The top-placed winners in the competition, run by Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC), drew their inspiration from the repeated mathematical patterns evident in ancient Khoi and San cave paintings and traditional Zulu beadwork, the mathematical make-up of well-known man-made landmarks and even the mathematical mysteries of outer space.
Others looked for the maths-art connection in majestic animals such as rhinos and cheetahs.
“We were thrilled at the high calibre of the 600 entries received, although it was a tremendous battle to choose the 12 overall winners,” said GMMDC competition coordinator Carine Steyn.
The top 40 entries will be exhibited at the international Bridges Conference in Linz, Austria from 14 to 20 July which, as in South Africa, promotes research and interest in the connection between mathematics and art.
The competition was open to all high school learners, who could enter artworks in two categories “maths in nature” or “maths in man-made designs”. They were adjudicated not only on artistic merit, but on how they represented the links between mathematics and the arts.
All the winners received cash vouchers and book prizes, and Eunice High School in Bloemfontein was recognised for submitting the most entries.
The maths-art link is part of a new global trend in education called Steam (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), which GMMDC promotes in South African classrooms.
“The Maths-Art Competition project adds an innovative educational layer to our centre’s technology-blended approach to the teaching and learning of maths and science,” said GMMDC director Prof Werner Olivier.
“It aims to develop creative young minds and also build awareness around the skills challenges they will face in their future careers in this, the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
