Mosaic Metaphor

This last term I had a lovely bunch of year 8s for a ceramic unit. I got them to make some 'practice' tiles so they could experiment, understand the process, make mistakes etc before working on some animal sculptures. Many of the tiles didn't make it to the first firing, but I wanted them to persevere, as part of the learning. I wasn't going to mark them or anything - I have a strong allegiance to the idea of learning through play. Before glaze firing, I realised that I could take it further by using all of their experimental bits in a mosaic. It is small, only the end of a wall, but it constitutes the first permanent student art work on campus, and is a bright spot amongst all of the gun-mental grey that someone thought was the best background colour for a vibrant place of learning! Beyond that, the kids learnt that mistakes don't matter and can even lead to something beautiful, that even seemingly insignificant components can contribute to the significance of something greater, and recycling is easy and doable. A very good term's work, I reckon. Their animal sculptures are awesome too.

 

New building, new opportunities

Since starting back at school in January, I have been finding the going pretty tough, largely due to the fact that my current 'art room' is a stinking hot demountable circa 1980s with no running water, sinks, precious little storeage and nothing much at all to endear itself. It has been particularly tough during the hot weather and having to lug stuff around including jerry-cans of water.

If this situation was going to be permanent or even long term, I am sure I would have quit by now. The last couple of weeks I have been wondering how I could hang on - I've been coming home utterly exhausted which means, of course, that along with extra hours, there is little time or energy for creativity.

But on Friday, I got a look at the light at the end of my tunnel - a great new art facility which should be ready to move into in the next couple of weeks. Hallelujah, I'm saved! The photos below are not good quality, but they will give you an idea of what I am getting excited about.



Main art room looking to the back - sinks under the window.





This is a verandah/courtyard space which will house the kiln and work with ceramics and hard materials etc.

Storeage Galore: Woo Hoo!

Also, I have just been invited to exhibit in New York, New York in June. If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere, right? More news on that as it comes to hand.