By: Ruthravathy T, from M'KIS Communications and Marketing Department 

 Art has evolved far beyond traditional boundaries, now reaching places once left to imagination. Mont'Kiara International School (M’KIS) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Art Teacher, Mr. Srđan Ilić, let creativity flow with his Grade 9 students through the Moss Mural Project. This was not a typical art experience, as it incorporated naturally sourced materials that turned school walls into creative spaces.

Mr. Srđan and his students went on a moss-hunting activity, collecting fresh green moss growing on the brick walls along the Mont’Kiara walkway to be used as the main material for this project. Students were instructed to sketch their own designs on paper, ranging from insects and abstract patterns to a tiger paw. These designs reflected each student’s personal choice and creativity.

The drawings were then taped onto the exterior wall outside the M’KIS Middle School art classroom and traced directly onto the surface. Students applied a natural glue made from a blend of clay and sugar to the traced outlines before carefully pressing the fresh moss onto the design. Once left to dry, the moss became part of the wall as a decorative artwork.

Although this was a temporary installation that could only withstand sun and rain for a limited time, it symbolised a touch of nature within a compact, built environment. Ants and snails were seen moving along the moss mural, forming a small ecosystem that reflected coexistence with other living creatures.

“Even though this is a temporary installation, we hope the moss mural continues to live and grow, a living drawing. I’m watering it twice a day so the moss rhizomes can attach to the concrete and give the design a chance to survive. Once established, the moss should grow independently, which is why we chose this location: it’s shaded and on a damp concrete wall. We’ll know in a few weeks if it has taken root,” Mr. Srđan said.

As part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Art curriculum, students documented the progress of this project in their process journals as a way to reflect on and evaluate their work. They became inquirers into their learning journey and artistic growth.

“Working with living material like moss means you don’t have full control over the outcome, as factors like weather and the surrounding environment are unpredictable. This shifts perspectives in contemporary art practice and encourages students to reflect on the ecosystem we live in, as well as sustainability in art,” Srdan added.

Srđan Ilić joined M’KIS in 2023 and is currently the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Art Teacher. Originally from Serbia, he holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art and has participated in multiple exhibitions. His trademark subject is the pineapple, which he uses as a means of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and artistic expression.