The autumn term was certainly busy and productive; some of the projects extend into this term for a few weeks and some are finished and displayed in the art room and around the school.
Year 4 will be finishing their colour autumn themed felt hanging over the next few weeks and will start a new art project linked with their ‘desert’ geography topic and focus on the Moroccan Berber crafts. We will look at desert art and craft that is both functional and decorative and we will also look at Islamic tiles and mosaics and architecture to inspire their creations this term.
Year 5 will continue with the figurative theme and will be studying the Swiss scupltor, Giacometti. They will base their 3d wire and modroc ( plaster bandage ) sculpture on his principles.
After the Giacometti project they will link with their history curriculum, studying India and the textile industry in cities and rural crafts. We will look into fabric dyes, tye die, block printing on fabric and paper and embellishing as well as mixed media art works.
Year 6’s ceramic vessels have been kiln fired over the holidays and are now ready to glaze. We will then be looking at sustainable and eco crafts, such as willow weaving and natural materials and develop many skills and techniques.
Once the children master some basic weaving and sculptural skills, some of their pieces will hopefully be created for the grounds such as plant supports and sculptures.
Year 7 worked incredibly hard on a challenging project which will take us to half term. Within the art curriculum we are working together on the ‘formal elements of art’. The children have been inspired by ceramicist Carolyn Gender and her patterns, sgraffito techniques and sculptors such as Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. They will embark on creating their hollow abstract terracotta sculpture using methods such as coiling, pinch pot and slab. Once created they will carve into slip to decorate. Their finished pieces will be exhibited at King Edward’s Witley.
After half term we will hopefully be doing a ‘scapes’ project. Looking at our local landscapes surrounding our beautiful school and possibly global scapes for inspiration.
Year 8 will be finishing off their A4 Acrylic portrait project which Year 8 children at King Edward’s have been working on too. We hope to hold a join exhibition in a few months.
Coral reefs will be the inspiration for their next project / installation. We will research into the environmental impact and protecting our natural world. We will also look into the marine world, species including plant and sea life and this will provide inspiration for individuals to find something that interests them and can be created individually but become a whole installation.
I hope to arrange a few opportunities for you to visit and see the children’s art work this year, we will let you know soon when that will be.
Mrs Wheeler
