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Exemplar Residency Report 1

Artist in Residence - Bishopston Comprehensive School

ART AND THE ENVIRONMENT

SPRING - SUMMER 2002

Click on the thumbnail images to view a gallery of the work produced in this project and a subsequent project in the following year.

On behalf of Bishopston Comprehensive School, I would like to thank you for enabling our pupils, the opportunity of working with an Artist in Residence.

The Artist in residence project was a resounding success and is to be continued in November 2002 with Artist David Marchant.

As a Department, we believe the following factors contributed to the success of the project.

  1. The opportunity to meet and discuss work with David Nash enabled the Artist and teachers involved in the project to understand and appreciate the reasoning behind Nash's work. It also allowed the production of invaluable learning resources, including photographs, sketches and notes to be used in the classroom with pupils.
  2. The books produced by the project organisers were valuable research and learning tools and enabled pupils to visually clarify queries and questions as well as research with projects.
  3. The enthusiastic, motivated and organised approach of the Artist ensured exciting and valuable interaction between the Artist and pupils and pupils and pupils. David was clear and concise in his expectations and instructions and developed a friendly and motivating rapport with the pupils involved in the project. All pupils were engaged and really enjoyed the experiences this project offered.
  4. The duplicate copies of photographs enabled the Artist and teachers to use effective visual stimuli in a valuable way during and after the residency project.

HOW HAS THE PROJECT BEEN ORGANISED?

Fifteen Year 11 alternative curriculum pupils and 60 year 9 pupils were selected to attend a workshop with the Artist (15 20 clay). The work took place in an art room. David explained David Nash's work, influences and ideas to the pupils. The pupils then looked at the visual material of Nash's work - these included photos, books and black and white photocopies of his work (some pupils found the tonal copies easier to work from). The pupils then selected aspects of Nash's work e.g., crosses, zigzags and marks made by Chainsaws and used charcoal to create similar marks and signs on paper in an Abstract way. In groups, pupils identified (collaboratively) marks they liked and produced to design a "Nash" influence carving that they would produce during the day-working on wooden logs.

Once the designs had been agreed - David Marchant demonstrated how to create marks in the wood safely.

HOW DID THEY CREATE A SCULPTURE?

Pupils then worked in small groups and enjoyed carving for the rest of the day. Some groups wanted to "blacken" part of the design - "like David Nash". This was done under the supervision of the Artist and a teacher using a blow-torch in the Technology Department of the School.

HOW DID THE PUPILS RESPOND?

The alternative curriculum pupils who can find it demanding to remain motivated for long periods of time were captivated by the experience. They requested more days with the Artist - which we did accommodate. Many pupils asked if they could be involved in the second stage of the project in November (when they have left school!).

Everyone in the school was delighted with the intelligent, enthusiastic and motivated way they concentrated on the project work. Some pupils produced a second carving which they took home.

The residency project offered these pupils in particular, the opportunity to leave a very positive, personal mark on this school - which will last in the form of an external sculpture for many years to come!

The year a pupils also really enjoyed the experience. Many pupils stayed after school during the week to complete their sculpture.

The Art Department was determined to allow all Year 9 pupils the opportunity of having an input into this project. Unfortunately, due to a 5-day project it was impossible to timetable all year 9 pupils in a workshop.

As a result of this - all Year 9 pupils following studies completed on David Nash (using visual materials provided by the project) have completed 2D designs and a mixed media collage - inspired by the work of David Nash. These will be mounted onto large pieces of board- framed and displayed as murals in school. This year we have developed a Welsh Artist/Landscape Art Unit of work for Year 9 to study.

A part of the required pupil outcomes is a personal research project on a Welsh Artist. Many year 9 pupils selected to study David Nash - obviously influenced by the residency project and work produced in class as a result of the project.

WHAT IS THE END RESULT OF THE PROJECT?

This is housed in an external quad open area within school grounds. Pupils have access to it break-times and lunchtimes. A water fountain has recently been placed there - as a result of this the area is well used and pupils have daily contact with the sculpture.

David Marchant and J. Morris spent 2 days mounting the sculpture - which is very effective.

The project will obviously continue in November when KS3 pupils will be involved in the creation of more work which will be incorporated into the sculpture.

We look forward to continuing this exciting work!

A. Sykes, Head of Art

 

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